Cytoplasmic progesterone and estradiol receptors in normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous endometria: therapeutic implications.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether the presence of progesterone receptors (PR) and/or estradiol receptors (ER) could be used to predict progestin responsiveness of recurrent or advanced endometrial cancers. We have demonstrated the presence of physicochemically similar cytoplasmic progesterone and estradiol receptors in normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous endometria. All normal endometria contained both PR and ER. Seventy-three percent of endometrial hyperplasias were PR(+) and 93% were ER(+). A decreasing concentration of progesterone receptor activity was observed with increasing tumor anaplasia [grade 1, 84% PR(+); grade 2, 55% PR(+); grade 3, 22% PR(+)] and in irradiated tumors. A statistically significant (p less than 0.001) relationship has been demonstrated between the presence of specific cytoplasmic PR and response to progestin therapy in recurrent or advanced endometrial adenocarcinomas. Thus, we conclude that a PR assay may be used to help select the most appropriate therapy for patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial adenocarcinoma.

• Authors: C E Ehrlich, P C Young, R E Cleary
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 141 Issue 5 Pg. 539-46 (Nov 01 1981) ISSN: 0002-9378 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6457531 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Estrogen
• Receptors, Progesterone
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
• Megestrol
• Medroxyprogesterone

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (analysis, drug therapy)
• Endometrial Hyperplasia (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Endometrium (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Medroxyprogesterone (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
• Megestrol (therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Estrogen (analysis)
• Receptors, Progesterone (analysis)
• Uterine Neoplasms (analysis, drug therapy)