ROUTINE ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE STEROID RECEPTORS IN HUMAN BREAST-CANCER .1. TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (5) , 278-287
Abstract
The technological features of multiple and simultaneous assays of steroid receptors [S-R] (estrogen and progestogens) were considered in human mammary carcinomas. Most of the parameters involved in the accuracy and the fiability of S-R determination were investigated: the stability of S-R proteins (collection and storage of sample, cytosol preparation and buffer components, endogenous steroid problem), the specificity and precise quantitation of the binding (conditions of incubations, use of steroid analogs, dextran-coated charcoal method and treatment of binding data by the Scatchard analysis), the identification of the binding (vertical sucrose density gradients) and interference in DCC [dicyclohexylcarbodiimide] assays. The routinely adopted protocol was used in 650 cases of S-R assay. When performed under appropriate and properly controlled conditions and even in a small sample, multiple S-R assay resulted in a precise quantitation and identification of the pathological state of the S-R system in a tumor at time of surgery. The importance for therapeutic guidance is discussed.