Hormonal steroid receptors in intracranial tumours and their relevance in hormone therapy.

Determination of cytosolic estradiol and progesterone receptors was carried out in 30 intracranial tumors: 12 meningiomas, 13 metastases, two angioreticulomas, two gliomas and one sarcoma. The hormonal fraction found with the receptor and the dissociation constant (Kd) were determined by the Scatchard method. Values higher than 10 fmol/mg of protein were considered as positive. Ten of the 12 meningiomas (83%) showed progesterone receptors (RP), while estrogen receptors (RE) were not found in any of the cases; six of the 13 metastases showed the two types of receptors; the other tumors did not present detectable receptor levels. There was no correlation between the receptor level and patient age, sex or hormonal status. Thee results suggest the possible use of endocrine therapy for example in cases of high-risk patients or incomplete surgical resection.