Disturbance of gene expression in endometrial cancer as therapy aim

Abstract

Summary Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecological cancer in women in developed countries. Two types of endometrial cancer, type I (estrogen-related) and type II (estrogen-unrelated), may be distinguished on the basis of molecular and clinicopathological characteristics. The article presents the most common mutations leading to the development of endometrial carcinomas such as PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog), overexpression of COX-2 gene, VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), ErbB-2 (HER2) proto-oncogene. Also, new strategies of treatment of this disease, based on directed drugs with specific mechanism of drug action, have been described. Those drugs offer considerable hope in treating advanced stages of metastatic cancers, particularly combined with chemotherapy. Knowledge of pathomechanisms of endometrial cancer, together with proper selection of patients, proceeded by tests which determine changes of gene expressions, may significantly improve the efficiency of the treatment. The authors present available publications on the subject of clinical research regarding new drugs used in monotherapy and combined therapy of endometrial carcinoma.