Endocrine therapy is a targeted clinical treatment that modulates the endocrine system by either blocking the production or action of specific hormones or by replacing deficient hormones. This therapeutic modality is a cornerstone in the management of hormone-sensitive conditions, most notably certain breast and prostate cancers, as well as various deficiency states. The goal is to alter the hormonal milieu to halt disease progression or restore physiological function. Effective endocrine therapy requires precise patient selection and careful monitoring of hormone levels and clinical response.
Origin
The term is derived from the Greek endon meaning “within” and krinein meaning “to secrete,” defining the internal secretion system, combined with therapeia meaning “healing” or “medical treatment.” It refers to any treatment that operates by manipulating the body’s internal chemical signaling system. This approach has a long history in medicine, evolving significantly with the understanding of molecular endocrinology.
Mechanism
Endocrine therapies function via several pathways: they may suppress the synthesis of a hormone at its source, such as using aromatase inhibitors to block estrogen production; they can act as receptor antagonists, competitively binding to the hormone receptor and preventing the natural hormone from initiating its signal; or they can involve the direct replacement of a deficient hormone to restore homeostatic balance. The underlying mechanism is the interruption or restoration of the hormone-receptor signaling axis.
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