Extensive research over the past 25 years in
hormone-dependent
cancers, such as
breast cancer and
prostate cancer, has identified the molecular mechanisms driven by
steroid receptors, elucidating the interplay between genomic and non-genomic
steroid receptors mechanism of action. Altogether, these mechanisms create the specific gene expression programs that contribute to endocrine
therapy resistance and
cancer progression. These findings, on the bidirectional molecular crosstalk between
steroid and
growth factor receptors pathways in endocrine resistance, suggest the use of multi-target inhibitors together with endocrine
therapies, for treating resistant disease. In this review we will discuss the novel understanding on the chemopreventive and anti-
cancer activities of
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-stilbene) (RSV), a phytoalexin found in grapes acting on a plethora of targets. We will highlight
Resveratrol effect on
steroid receptors signalling and its potential use in the treatment of
hormone-dependent
cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which the bioactive compound influences
cancer cell behaviour, by interfering with
steroid receptors functional activity, will help to advance the design of combination strategies to increase the rate of complete and durable clinical response in patients.