Steroid receptors in meningiomas

Plese, J. P. P.; Martins, V. R.; Lopes, M. T. P.; Brentani, M. M.

doi:10.1590/S0004-282X1985000400005

Abstracts

Cytosolic estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) were evaluated in 10 meningiomas using a dextran charcoal coated method. We consider as positive specific receptor values >10fMol/mg protein. In this study 20% of the meningiomas contained very low titers of specific ER. PR was detectable in 90% of the tumors, at high levels. The mean PR content of PR+ tumors was 60±38fMol/mg prot. GR and AR were present in moderate levels, in 70% of the tumors. Competition studies demonstrated steroid specificity for these hormone-binding proteins. Female patients have a higher receptor incidence and titer. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that the meningioma are a target tissue for steroids and that endocrine therapy may be relevant to unoperable and/or reccurent tumors.

Dados epidemiológicos sugerem uma associação entre meningiomas e hormônios sexuais. Há preponderância da incidência destes tumores em mulheres, sendo diagnosticados mais frequentemente entre 35 e 55 anos. Progressão tumoral pode ocorrer durante a gravidez e a associação entre meningiomas e câncer de mama é estatisticamente significativa. O efeito benéfico positivo dos glicocorticóides no tratamento clínico de tumores intracranianos está bem documentado, embora este efeito seja relacionado com o edema cerebral e não com proliferação tumoral. A presença de receptores intracelulares específicos parece ser condição necessária embora não suficiente para a expressão dos efeitos celulares destes esteróides. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi a determinação de receptores de estrógeno (ER), progesterona (PR), andrógeno (AR) e glicocorticóide (GR) em 10 meningiomas através da metodologia do carvãodextrana. Neste estudo verificamos que somente 20% dos meningiomas contêm receptores de estrógeno e as concentrações determinadas são baixas. Receptores de progesterona estão presentes em 90% dos tumores, em alta concentração (média±dp = 60±38 fMol/mg prot). Cerca de 70% dos meningiomas contêm níveis intermediários de AR e GR. Testes de competição demonstram que todos os receptores são específicos. Incidência e concentração de todos os receptores são maiores em pacientes do sexo feminino. A ocorrência de receptores de progesterona, andrógeno e glicocorticóide pode indicar a possível utilidade de manipulações endócrinas em meningiomas não operáveis.

Steroid receptors in meningiomas

Determinação de repectores esteroídicos em meningiomas

J. P. P. Plese^I; V. R. Martins^II; M. T. P. Lopes^II; M.M. Brentani^II

^IDepartment of Neuropsychiatry. São Paulo University, Faculty of Medicine

^IILaboratory of Experimental Oncology. São Paulo University, Faculty of Medicine

SUMMARY

Cytosolic estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) were evaluated in 10 meningiomas using a dextran charcoal coated method. We consider as positive specific receptor values >10fMol/mg protein. In this study 20% of the meningiomas contained very low titers of specific ER. PR was detectable in 90% of the tumors, at high levels. The mean PR content of PR+ tumors was 60±38fMol/mg prot. GR and AR were present in moderate levels, in 70% of the tumors. Competition studies demonstrated steroid specificity for these hormone-binding proteins. Female patients have a higher receptor incidence and titer. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that the meningioma are a target tissue for steroids and that endocrine therapy may be relevant to unoperable and/or reccurent tumors.

RESUMO

Dados epidemiológicos sugerem uma associação entre meningiomas e hormônios sexuais. Há preponderância da incidência destes tumores em mulheres, sendo diagnosticados mais frequentemente entre 35 e 55 anos. Progressão tumoral pode ocorrer durante a gravidez e a associação entre meningiomas e câncer de mama é estatisticamente significativa. O efeito benéfico positivo dos glicocorticóides no tratamento clínico de tumores intracranianos está bem documentado, embora este efeito seja relacionado com o edema cerebral e não com proliferação tumoral. A presença de receptores intracelulares específicos parece ser condição necessária embora não suficiente para a expressão dos efeitos celulares destes esteróides. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi a determinação de receptores de estrógeno (ER), progesterona (PR), andrógeno (AR) e glicocorticóide (GR) em 10 meningiomas através da metodologia do carvãodextrana. Neste estudo verificamos que somente 20% dos meningiomas contêm receptores de estrógeno e as concentrações determinadas são baixas. Receptores de progesterona estão presentes em 90% dos tumores, em alta concentração (média±dp = 60±38 fMol/mg prot). Cerca de 70% dos meningiomas contêm níveis intermediários de AR e GR. Testes de competição demonstram que todos os receptores são específicos. Incidência e concentração de todos os receptores são maiores em pacientes do sexo feminino. A ocorrência de receptores de progesterona, andrógeno e glicocorticóide pode indicar a possível utilidade de manipulações endócrinas em meningiomas não operáveis.

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São Paulo University, Faculty of Medicine.

Acknowledgements: This study has been supported by FAPESP (grant 83/1412-3); M.T.P. Lopes is a fellow from FAPESP (82/2065-2).

Laboratório de Oncologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo - Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - 01246 - São Paulo, SP - Brasil.

1. BICKERSTAFF, E.R.; SMALL, J.M. & GUEST, I.A. - The relationship course of certain meningiomas in relation to pregnancy and menstruation. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 21:89, 1958.
2. BLANKENSTEIN, M.A.; BLAAUW, G.; LAMBERTS, S.W.J. & MULDER, E. - Presence of progesterone receptors and absence of oestrogen receptors in human intracranial meningioma cytosols. Eur. J. Cancer clin. Oncol. 19:365, 1983.
3. BRENTANI, M.M.: NAGAI, M.A.; FUJIYAMA, C.T. & GOES, J.C.S. - Steroid receptors in a group of Brazilian breast cancer patients. J. surg. Oncol. 18:431, 1981.
4. CAHILL, D.W.; DASHIRELAHI, N.; SOLOMAN, L.; DALTON, T.; SOLOMAN, M. & DUCKER, T.B. - Estrogen and progesterone receptors in meningiomas. J. Neurosurg. 60:985, 1984.
5. DONNEL, M.S.; METER, G.A. & DONEGAN, W.L. - Estrogen receptor protein in intracranial meningiomas. J. Neurosurg. 50:499, 1979.
6. GALICICH, J.M. & FRENCH, L.A. - Use of dexamethasone in the treatment of cerebral edema resulting from brain tumors and brain surgery. Amer. practit. Diag. Treat. 12:169, 1961.
7. HASLAM, S.Z.; McBLAIN, W.A. & SHTAMALA, G. - An empirical basis for the competition by dexamethasone to progesterone receptors as estimated with the synthetic progestin R5020. J. Receptor Res. 2:435, 1982.
8. HORWITZ, K.B. & McGUIRE, W.L. - Estrogen and progesterone: their relationship in hormone-dependent breast cancer. In W.L. McGuire, J.P. Raynaud & E.E. Baulieu (eds.): Progesterone Receptors in Normal and Neoplastic Tissues. Raven Press, New York, 1977, pg. 103.
9. JELLINGER, K. & SLOWWIK, F. - Histological subtypes and prognostic problems in meningiomas. J. Neurol. 208:279, 1975.
10. MAGDELENAT, H.; PERTUISET, B.F.; POISSON, M.; MARTIN, P.M.; PHILIPPAN, J.: PERTUISET, B. & BUGE, A. - Progestin and oestrogen receptors in meningiomas. Biochemical characterization, clinical and pathological correlations in 42 cases. Acta neurochir. 64:199, 1982.
11. MARKWALDER, T.M.; ZAVA, D.T.; GOLDHIRISCH, A. & MARKWALDER, R.V. - Estrogen and progesterone receptors in meningiomas in relation to clinical and pathologic features. Surg. Neurol. 20:42, 1983.
12. POISSON, M.; MAGDELENAT, H.; MARTIN, P.M.; PERTUISET, B.F.; HAUW, J.J.; FOHANNO, D.; SICHEZ, J.P.; VIGOURAUX, R.P. & BUGE, A. - Recépteurs de progestérone de la leptoméninge humaine normale chez l'adulte. Rev. neurol. (Paris) 139:163, 1983.
13. POISSON, Mr; PERTUISET, B.F.; MAQUILEWSKY, M.; MAGDELENAT, H. & MARTIN, P.M. - Les recépteurs de stéroides du systême nerveux central: implications en neurologie. Rev. Neurol. (Paris) 140:233, 1984.
14. RAUSING, A.: YBO, W. & STENFLO, I. - Intracranial meningioma: a population study of ten years. Acta neurol. scand. 46:102, 1970.
15. SCHNEGG, J.P.; GOMEZ, F.; LE MARCHAND-BERAUD, J. & TRIBOLET, N. - Presence of sex steroid hormone receptors in meningioma tissue. Surg. Neurol. 15:415, 1981.
16. SCHOENBERG, B.S.; CHRISTINE, B.W. & WHISNASIT, J.P. - Nervous system neoplasms and primary malignancies of other sites: the unique association between meningiomas and breast cancer. Neurology 25:705 ,1975.
17. SCHOENBERG, B.S. - Nervous system. In Schollenfeld & Fraumeni (eds.): Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1982, pg. 968.
18. SCHWARTZ, M.R.; RANDOLPH, R.L.; CECH, D.A.; ROSE, J.E. & PANKO, W.B. - Steroid hormone binding macromolecules in meningiomas. Cancer 53:922, 1984.
19. SIMPSON, D. - The recurrence of intracranial meningiomas after surgical treatment. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 20:22, 1957.
20. TILZER, L.L.; PLOPP, F.V.; EVANS, J.P.; STONE, O. & ALWARD, K. - Steroid receptor protein in human meningiomas. Cancer 49:633, 1982.
21. TORNELLO, S.; ORTI, E.; DE NICOLA, F.A.; RAINBOW, T.C. & McEWEN, B.S. - Regulation of glucocorticoid receptors in brain by corticosterone treatment of adrenalectomized rats. Neuroendocrinol. 35:411, 1982.
22. VAQUERO, J.: MARCOS, M.L.: MARTINEZ. R. & BRAVO, G. - Estrogen and progesterone receptor proteins in intracranial tumors. Surg. Neurol. 19:11, 1983.
23. YAMADA, K.: BREMER, A.M. & WEST, C.R. - Effects of dexamethasone on tumor-induced brain edema and its distribution in the brain of monkeys. J. Neurosurg. 50:361, 1979.
24. YU, Z.; WRANGE, O.; BOETHIUS, J.: HATAM, A.; GRANHOLM, L. & GUSTAFSSON, J. - A study of glucocorticoid receptors in intracranial tumors. J. Neurosurg. 55:757, 1981.
25. YU, Z.; WRANGE, O.; HAGLUND, B.; GRANHOLM, L. & GUSTAFSSON, J.A. - Estrogen and progestin receptors in intracranial meningiomas. J. steroid. Biochem. 16:451, 1982.
26. ZAVA, D.T.; LANDRUM, B.; HORWITZ, K.B & McGUIRE, W.L. - Androgen receptor assay with (3H) methyltrienolone (R1881) in the presence of progesterone receptors. Endocrinology 104:1007, 1979.
27. ZÜLCH, K.J. - Brain Tumors: Their Biology and Pathology. Springer Publ. Co., New York, 1965, pg. 62.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
09 Aug 2012
Date of issue
Dec 1985

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

[1] 1. BICKERSTAFF, E.R.; SMALL, J.M. & GUEST, I.A. - The relationship course of certain meningiomas in relation to pregnancy and menstruation. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 21:89, 1958.

[2] 2. BLANKENSTEIN, M.A.; BLAAUW, G.; LAMBERTS, S.W.J. & MULDER, E. - Presence of progesterone receptors and absence of oestrogen receptors in human intracranial meningioma cytosols. Eur. J. Cancer clin. Oncol. 19:365, 1983.

[3] 3. BRENTANI, M.M.: NAGAI, M.A.; FUJIYAMA, C.T. & GOES, J.C.S. - Steroid receptors in a group of Brazilian breast cancer patients. J. surg. Oncol. 18:431, 1981.

[4] 4. CAHILL, D.W.; DASHIRELAHI, N.; SOLOMAN, L.; DALTON, T.; SOLOMAN, M. & DUCKER, T.B. - Estrogen and progesterone receptors in meningiomas. J. Neurosurg. 60:985, 1984.

[5] 5. DONNEL, M.S.; METER, G.A. & DONEGAN, W.L. - Estrogen receptor protein in intracranial meningiomas. J. Neurosurg. 50:499, 1979.

[6] 6. GALICICH, J.M. & FRENCH, L.A. - Use of dexamethasone in the treatment of cerebral edema resulting from brain tumors and brain surgery. Amer. practit. Diag. Treat. 12:169, 1961.

[7] 7. HASLAM, S.Z.; McBLAIN, W.A. & SHTAMALA, G. - An empirical basis for the competition by dexamethasone to progesterone receptors as estimated with the synthetic progestin R5020. J. Receptor Res. 2:435, 1982.

[8] 8. HORWITZ, K.B. & McGUIRE, W.L. - Estrogen and progesterone: their relationship in hormone-dependent breast cancer. In W.L. McGuire, J.P. Raynaud & E.E. Baulieu (eds.): Progesterone Receptors in Normal and Neoplastic Tissues. Raven Press, New York, 1977, pg. 103.

[9] 9. JELLINGER, K. & SLOWWIK, F. - Histological subtypes and prognostic problems in meningiomas. J. Neurol. 208:279, 1975.

[10] 10. MAGDELENAT, H.; PERTUISET, B.F.; POISSON, M.; MARTIN, P.M.; PHILIPPAN, J.: PERTUISET, B. & BUGE, A. - Progestin and oestrogen receptors in meningiomas. Biochemical characterization, clinical and pathological correlations in 42 cases. Acta neurochir. 64:199, 1982.

[11] 11. MARKWALDER, T.M.; ZAVA, D.T.; GOLDHIRISCH, A. & MARKWALDER, R.V. - Estrogen and progesterone receptors in meningiomas in relation to clinical and pathologic features. Surg. Neurol. 20:42, 1983.

[12] 12. POISSON, M.; MAGDELENAT, H.; MARTIN, P.M.; PERTUISET, B.F.; HAUW, J.J.; FOHANNO, D.; SICHEZ, J.P.; VIGOURAUX, R.P. & BUGE, A. - Recépteurs de progestérone de la leptoméninge humaine normale chez l'adulte. Rev. neurol. (Paris) 139:163, 1983.

[13] 13. POISSON, Mr; PERTUISET, B.F.; MAQUILEWSKY, M.; MAGDELENAT, H. & MARTIN, P.M. - Les recépteurs de stéroides du systême nerveux central: implications en neurologie. Rev. Neurol. (Paris) 140:233, 1984.

[14] 14. RAUSING, A.: YBO, W. & STENFLO, I. - Intracranial meningioma: a population study of ten years. Acta neurol. scand. 46:102, 1970.

[15] 15. SCHNEGG, J.P.; GOMEZ, F.; LE MARCHAND-BERAUD, J. & TRIBOLET, N. - Presence of sex steroid hormone receptors in meningioma tissue. Surg. Neurol. 15:415, 1981.

[16] 16. SCHOENBERG, B.S.; CHRISTINE, B.W. & WHISNASIT, J.P. - Nervous system neoplasms and primary malignancies of other sites: the unique association between meningiomas and breast cancer. Neurology 25:705 ,1975.

[17] 17. SCHOENBERG, B.S. - Nervous system. In Schollenfeld & Fraumeni (eds.): Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1982, pg. 968.

[18] 18. SCHWARTZ, M.R.; RANDOLPH, R.L.; CECH, D.A.; ROSE, J.E. & PANKO, W.B. - Steroid hormone binding macromolecules in meningiomas. Cancer 53:922, 1984.

[19] 19. SIMPSON, D. - The recurrence of intracranial meningiomas after surgical treatment. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 20:22, 1957.

[20] 20. TILZER, L.L.; PLOPP, F.V.; EVANS, J.P.; STONE, O. & ALWARD, K. - Steroid receptor protein in human meningiomas. Cancer 49:633, 1982.

[21] 21. TORNELLO, S.; ORTI, E.; DE NICOLA, F.A.; RAINBOW, T.C. & McEWEN, B.S. - Regulation of glucocorticoid receptors in brain by corticosterone treatment of adrenalectomized rats. Neuroendocrinol. 35:411, 1982.

[22] 22. VAQUERO, J.: MARCOS, M.L.: MARTINEZ. R. & BRAVO, G. - Estrogen and progesterone receptor proteins in intracranial tumors. Surg. Neurol. 19:11, 1983.

[23] 23. YAMADA, K.: BREMER, A.M. & WEST, C.R. - Effects of dexamethasone on tumor-induced brain edema and its distribution in the brain of monkeys. J. Neurosurg. 50:361, 1979.

[24] 24. YU, Z.; WRANGE, O.; BOETHIUS, J.: HATAM, A.; GRANHOLM, L. & GUSTAFSSON, J. - A study of glucocorticoid receptors in intracranial tumors. J. Neurosurg. 55:757, 1981.

[25] 25. YU, Z.; WRANGE, O.; HAGLUND, B.; GRANHOLM, L. & GUSTAFSSON, J.A. - Estrogen and progestin receptors in intracranial meningiomas. J. steroid. Biochem. 16:451, 1982.

[26] 26. ZAVA, D.T.; LANDRUM, B.; HORWITZ, K.B & McGUIRE, W.L. - Androgen receptor assay with (3H) methyltrienolone (R1881) in the presence of progesterone receptors. Endocrinology 104:1007, 1979.

[27] 27. ZÜLCH, K.J. - Brain Tumors: Their Biology and Pathology. Springer Publ. Co., New York, 1965, pg. 62.