What are Hormone Receptors?

Understanding Breast Cancer / By

HR (hormone receptors) are proteins on the surface of cells. Breast cancer cells, like normal cells, have specific receptor proteins that can combine with estrogen or progesterone. Breast cancer cells may grow with stimulation from one or both of these hormones, or they may grow entirely independently of these hormones:

This photo is created and owned by F. Hoffman-La Roche LTD, accessed at https://www.roche.com/stories/about-breast-cancer, last accessed on August 2022.

  • ER+: Breast cancer cells are called ER+ breast cancer if they are estrogen receptor-positive
  • PR+: Breast cancer cells are called PR+ breast cancer if they are progesterone receptor-positive

Because hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer cells have one or more types of hormone receptor, hormone therapy can help these patients reduce their production of the hormones or intercept the effects of the hormones on their breast cancer cells. On the other hand, hormone receptor-negative (HR-) breast cancer cells do not have the above hormone receptors thus these patients will not benefit from hormone therapy 

Breast cancer treatment is basically devised based on the type of breast cancer the patient has, its stage, and any other special circumstances. A patient’s treatment plan is also affected by other factors, such as overall health and personal preference. Patients might receive different types of treatment plans and combinations, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.

References:

  1. Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Hormonal Therapy. Available at: https://www.hkbcf.org/en/breast_cancer/main/89/, accessed in July 2024.
  2. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-hormone-receptorstatus.html, accessed in July 2024.
  3. National Breast Cancer Foundation. Molecular types of breast cancer. Available at:https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-treatment/,  accessed in July 2024.