Cytoplasmic steroid receptors in cancer of the larynx.

Abstract

There are many data that suggest that the larynx is a target organ for steroid hormones, especially androgens. Since laryngeal cancers occur much more often in males, it is conceivable that androgens might be the growth-stimulating factor for such tumors. In order to test this concept further, neoplastic tissues from 68 patients (64 males, 4 females) were obtained during planned total laryngectomies and were tested for the presence of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptors. In 18 cases progesterone receptors (PgR) were also quantified. The dextran-coated charcoal technique was used to determine hormone receptors and the number of the binding sites and the equilibrium constant of dissociation were calculated according to Scatchard. 3H-R1881 was used as the ligand for the measurement of AR, 3H-estradiol for ER, and 3H-R5020 for PgR. AR was present in 11 tumor specimens (1 female, 10 males) and the concentration varied from 2.8 to 17.1 fmol/mg proteins. ER were found in 6 tumors (1 female, 5 males) in concentrations of 2.9-11.2 fmol/mg proteins. Three tumor specimens contained both AR and ER. All tumors analyzed lacked PgR. These results suggest that at least some laryngeal carcinomas might be hormone dependent, indicating that certain patients could benefit from antiandrogen therapy.