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Ligand-Independent Activation

Meaning

Ligand-Independent Activation refers to the biological process where a nuclear hormone receptor, such as the estrogen or androgen receptor, is activated and initiates gene transcription without the binding of its specific hormonal ligand. This phenomenon is typically mediated by alternative signaling pathways, often triggered by growth factors, kinases, or inflammatory cytokines. In the context of hormonal health and cancer biology, this mechanism is clinically significant because it allows hormone-sensitive cells to proliferate even when circulating hormone levels are low or when anti-hormone therapies are administered.