ESTRONE AND DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATASE ACTIVITIES AND PLASMA ESTRONE SULFATE LEVELS IN HUMAN-BREAST CARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (2) , 661-664
Abstract
The activity of the 2 membrane-bound sulfatases, estrone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfatases, are reported in human breast carcinoma tissues. In 21 tested tumors (12 from postmenopausal women and 9 from nonmenopausal women), the 2 sulfatases were consistently present. The apparent Km values for estrone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfatases were, respectively, 6.8 and 14.9 .mu.M. In terms of maximal velocity, the sulfatase activities are not correlated to the estrogen or progesterone receptor status of the tumors or to the hormonal status of the donors. Apparently these activities are not hormone dependent. Estrone sulfate, the substrate of estrone sulfatase, was measured in plasma of postmenopausal women. The mean levels (nmol/liter) of plasma estrone sulfate were compared in postmenopausal women with (n = 51) or without (n = 39) breast cancer. For the first age group (48-55 yr old), no statistically significant difference in these levels was observed. For the 2 other age groups (56-65 and 66-80 yr of age), the differences were statistically significant. The usefulness of plasma estrone 3-sulfate levels as an indicator of the real estrogen status of postmenopausal women is discussed.