Sex steroids, sex-binding globulin, and prolactin in tissues of adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

79 Background: Some researchers suggest that squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (ACE) are characterized by different pathogenesis, epidemiology and tumor biology, and therefore require different therapeutic strategies. The purpose of the study was to analyze local hormonal status in malignant esophageal tumors and surrounding tissues depending on the histogenesis. Methods: Levels of sex steroids – free testosterone (fT), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), prolactin (PRL) and sex steroid-binding globulin (SSBG) were studied by the standard ELISA methods in tumor tissue, perifocal zone and resection line of 39 patients aged 58-74 years: 27 SCC, 12 ACE, stage II, G2, pT1-2N1M0. Results: Differences were found in local hormonal content in all studied samples dependint on the tumor histotype. Levels of SSBG, PRL and E1 in ACE were higher than in SCC by 1.3, 3.3 and 1.4 times, respectively, while fT concentration was 2.4 times lower. Levels of PRL, E1 and E3 in perifocal zone of ACE compared to SCC were higher by 2.8, 3.3 and 3.1 times, and fT was 1.3 times lower. Resection line of ACE differed from that of SCC by higher tissue concentrations of SSBG – by 1.3 times, PRL – by 1.5 times, E1 – by 1.3 times, E3 – by 1.7 times and a lower level of fT – by 1.5 times. As a result, fT/E1 ratios in ACE and surrounding tissues were on average 3 times lower than in corresponding SCC samples. Conclusions: Levels of hormones in esophageal tumors and surrounding tissues depend on the histogenesis. ACE was characterized by hyperestrogenism in esophageal tissues along with a high prolactin concentration, while SCC – by hyperandrogenism with a low PRL level. Different pathogenesis of SCC and ACE was demonstrated by the fact that hormonal profile in both tumor and resection line depended on the tumor histology.