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Endocrine Therapy Resistance

Meaning

Endocrine Therapy Resistance is a clinical phenomenon where cancer cells, typically those of breast or prostate tumors that initially responded to hormone-blocking treatments, acquire mechanisms that allow them to continue proliferating despite the presence of the therapeutic agent. This resistance can be primary, meaning the tumor never responds, or secondary, developing after an initial period of successful treatment. Overcoming this resistance is a major challenge in the long-term management of hormone-sensitive malignancies.