ESTROGEN RECEPTORS IN MALE BREAST-CANCER

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (9) , 327-330
Abstract
Eleven samples from 7 primary and 4 metastatic male breast cancers were analyzed for cytoplasmic estrogen receptors. Two samples of metastatic cancers were obtained from the same patient 6 mo. apart. Receptors were assayed by measuring the binding affinity of cytosol fractions for 3H-estradiol-17.beta.. Saturable binding sites were obtained in 6 primary and 1 metastatic cancer. The dissociation constant of the binding reactions were within the range reported for specific estrogen receptors from female breast cancers. When present, receptor concentrations varied from 59-532 fmol/mg tissue protein. Competition studies of the binding of 3H-estradiol-17.beta. by excess amounts of unlabeled steroid hormones or antihormones revealed that the receptors were specific for estrogens and antiestrogens. By all these criteria, receptors from male mammary cancer were identical to those from female breast cancer. Chromosome analysis was performed in 6 patients. All had normal 46 XY male pattern indicating that no conspicuous genetic abnormalities such as those of the Klinefelter syndrome seemed responsible for the presence of the receptors.