Expression and significance of estrogen receptor-β and tyrosine kinase receptor-B in endometriosis associated ovarian cancer

Malignant transformation of ovarian endometrios is known as endometriosis associated ovarian cancer (EAOC). However, the carcinogenic pathways by which EAOC develops remained poorly understood, and numerous studies found the risk factors of malignant transformation. Recent studies have provided evidence that estrogen receptor-β (ER-β) can influence the proliferation, motility and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. The signal pathway of tyrosine kinase receptor-B (TrkB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a direct relation with the endometriosis, and its anti-anoikis plays a prerequisite role in proliferation of cancer. In the nervous system, estradiol and estrogen receptor can be combined through a variety of ways to promote BDNF/TrkB high expression and activity enhancement. Therefore, the relationship between high-risk factors of malignant transformation and ER-β expression and ER-β and TrkB/BDNF signal pathways need to be explored in EAOC. Key words: Endometriosis; Ovarian neoplasms; Estrogen receptor beta; Receptor protein-tyrosine kinases