Using arginase and hydroxyproline as biochemical markers, the yields and homogeneity of separated epithelial and stromal tissues from surgically removed benign hyperplastic prostate glands have been assessed. On the basis of these markers, about 30% of epithelial and 95% of stromal tissues were recovered. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate sulphatase activity was found predominantly in the epithelium, whereas testosterone 5alpha-reductase activity was predominantly in the stroma.

To determine whether steroid hormone receptor expression is clinically relevant in ovarian cancer, cytoplasmic and nuclear estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor levels have been measured and their concentration calculated by Scatchard analysis. Of 89 samples from patients with non-pretreated epithelial ovarian cancer, 33% were ER-positive, PR-positive (ER+PR+) and 40% ER-negative, PR-negative (ER-PR-); 20% were ER+PR-, and 7% ER-PR+. There was no correlation between receptor status and patient age, menopausal status, or tumor grade, although serous tumors were more likely to be ER+. The incidence of PR+ tumors was highest in early disease and decreased with increasing International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage. Survival of patients with advanced disease (FIGO Stages IIC, III, or IV) was significantly prolonged by optimal initial cytoreductive surgery (P = 0.002), platinum therapy (P = 0.003), and tumor expression of PR (P = 0.009). On multivariate analysis, PR positivity was still associated with improved survival, although this did not retain statistical significance (P = 0.09).

Sex hormone-binding globulin-(SHBG) and cortisol-binding globulin-(CBG) like proteins have been demonstrated in prostatic tissue surgically removed from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. These proteins are not easily removed by superfusion of tissue slices. Epithelial tissue was separated from stroma and found not to contain the SHBG- or CBG-like proteins. Substantial amounts of these proteins, however, remained associated with the stroma. It is suggested that they may be constituents of interstitial fluid in this tissue compartment. The possible significance of this in benign prostatic hyperplasia is discussed.

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