Estrogen receptors are over-expressed in around 70% of breast cancer cases, referred to as "ER positive".

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a member of the nuclear hormone family of intracellular receptors which is activated by the hormone 17β-estradiol (estrogen). The main function of the estrogen receptor is as a DNA binding transcription factor which regulates gene expression. However the estrogen receptor also has additional functions independent of DNA binding.

Estrogen and the ERs have also been implicated in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and endometrial cancer. Advanced colon cancer is associated with a loss of ERβ, the predominant ER in colon tissue, and colon cancer is treated with ERβ specific agonists.

Purpose

Detection and quantification of estrogen receptor α in estrogen receptor α-positive cells (human breast carcinomas)

Services

AQUA staining multiplexed with cytokeratin

Introduction

Specificity

Specific reaction with ERα, but not ERβ.

Staining Interpretation

ERα labels cells with a nuclear staining pattern. ERα is widely expressed in different tissue types, including endometrium, breast cancer cells, ovarian stroma cells and in the hypothalamus.

 

DCIS

ER (Estrongen Receptor α)

Thomas Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center

Rui Lab