Androgen and estrogen receptors: Potential of crystallography in the fight against cancer

Androgen (AR) and estrogen (ERα and ERβ) receptors are primary targets in the treatment of hormone-sensitive tumors such as prostate or breast cancers. Because of their diverse and important roles in normal and pathologic physiology, these nuclear receptors have prompted intense research. Here, we review how structural studies conducted over the past several years on AR and ERs have provided significant advances in our comprehension of androgen and estrogen signaling and how this information can be used in the fight against cancer.