Detection of estrogen binding in human mammary carcinoma by immunofluorescence: a new technic utilizing the binding hormone in a polymerized state.

Detection of neoplastic cells with the ability to bind estrogen has been accomplished utilizing the immunofluorescence technic and polymerized estradiol phosphate. Biopsies from 10 patients with the more common varieties of breast cancer have been studied and show excellent correlation with independently performed tritiated estradiol receptor assays. Preliminary results show that many mammary carcinomas are composed of heterogenous cell populations which vary in their estrogen binding capacities. To some extent, such variations are dependent upon the anatomical location of the malignant cells.