Steroid receptors in meningiomas. A histochemical and biochemical study.

Meningiomas are more common in females and their course can be affected by changes in the hormonal milieu of the patient. Recently, a few studies have reported the presence of one or more steroid receptors in a small number of meningiomas. We have studied the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PgR) of 11 surgically excised meningiomas. The receptors were assayed biochemically and localized at the cellular level using fluoroceinated estradiol and rhodamine-conjugated progesterone. Considerable amounts of ER were found in 4/11 cases, and PgR was high in 6/11 tumors. Cytoplasmic localization of the steroid binding sites was seen using both tracers. The presence of 10% of cells with two ++ intensity of the fluorescence correlated with tumors having positive ER values (greater than 10 Fm/mg protein). The presence of nuclear fluorescence and the higher level of PgR seen in some tumors indicate that the ER present is functioning. This study confirms the presence of steroid binding sites in meningiomas and suggests that there may be a role for hormonal manipulation in selected patients.