In humans, hormones play vital roles in regulating various physiological processes. They act as chemical messengers that are produced by endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs. Hormones bind to specific receptors located on the surface or within the target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses. Major types of hormones in humans and their receptors include: 1) Peptide/Protein hormones (eg Insulin, Growth hormone, Oxytocin); 2) Steroid hormones such as Estrogen, Testosterone and Cortisol; 3) Amine hormones such as Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Thyroxine; 4) Lipid-Derived Hormones such as Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes derived from fatty acids; 5) Gasotransmitters such as Nitric oxide (NO) which act as gaseous hormones diffusing across cell membranes to activate intracellular signalling pathways. Hormones can play various roles in the development of certain types of cancer. For example, estrogen and progesterone can stimulate the growth and division of cells in hormone-sensitive tissues. In breast cancer, for example, the presence of estrogen can promote the proliferation of cancer cells in hormone receptor-positive breast tumours. Similarly, hormones like testosterone can contribute to the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hormones can also influence the differentiation of cells, the acquisition of specialized characteristics and functions. Disruptions in this process can contribute to cancer development. For instance, thyroid hormones can affect the differentiation of thyroid cells, and abnormalities in thyroid hormone signalling can lead to thyroid cancer. Hormones can also activate specific signalling pathways within cells, including those involved in cell growth, survival, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Dysregulation of these pathways can promote cancer development. For example, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can stimulate cell growth and division, and abnormal IGF-1 signalling has been associated with increased cancer risk. In some cases, cancer cells express specific receptors for certain hormones, making them susceptible to hormone-based therapies. These therapies aim to either block the hormone receptors (such as with selective estrogen receptor modulators in breast cancer) or reduce hormone production (such as with hormone deprivation therapy in prostate cancer) to inhibit cancer growth. We provide a comprehensive product catalogue of research tools for studying hormones, including Inhibin alpha antibodies, hCG antibodies, Calcitonin antibodies, HGF ELISA Kits, and Calcitonin ELISA Kits. Explore our full hormones product range below and discover more, for less.