Sartorius Lab

The Sartorius laboratory studies the role of sex steroid hormones and their cognate receptors (i.e. estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)) in breast cancer. Sex steroid hormones impact the etiology and progression of breast cancer and are the main targets of endocrine therapies. The incidence of hormone receptor (HR)+ breast cancer steadily increases with age, comprising >80% of postmenopausal cases. Endocrine treatments are not always durable and around one third of patients experience tumor recurrence, usually to sites outside the breast. We focus on transcriptional and translational regulation by ER, PR and other hormone-activated receptors such as retinoic acid receptor (RARs). We use HR+ human breast cancer cell line models, patient-derived xenografts, and clinical specimens combined with new technologies to answer these questions. Our long-term goal is to understand the role of hormones and their receptors during aging and breast cancer in order to prevent or halt progression and endocrine resistance.

Current projects:

Regulation of HR+ breast cancer heterogeneity during endocrine resistance

Mechanisms of advanced ER+ breast cancer metastasis

Nuclear receptor regulation of RNA polymerase III

Altered breast cancer cell metabolism with hormones and endocrine resistance

Selected Publications:

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Lab address:

University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus

Research Center 1 South, Room 5403C

12801 East 17th Ave

Aurora, CO 80045-2530

Postition Inquiries:​

Postdoctoral inquiries

Sartorius_Carol_2016

Carol Sartorius PhD

Professor - Breast Cancer Research - Vice-Chair of Research
  • Pathology (SOM)

Email Address:carol.sartorius@cuanschutz.edu

Primary Phone:303-724-3937

Mailing Address:
  • CU Anschutz

Research I South

12801 East 17th Avenue

Aurora, CO 80045

Education, Licensure & Certifications

Education and Training:

  • BS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

  • PhD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, Dr. Kathryn Horwitz

  • Fellowship, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

Training Program Affiliations:
  • Member of Graduate Programs in Cancer Biology, Biomedical Sciences, and the Medical Scientist Training Program

Pathology (SOM)

CU Anschutz

Academic Office One

12631 East 17th Avenue

2nd Floor

Aurora, CO 80045


303-724-3704

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