Are histochemical methods for estrogen receptor valid?

Abstract

Because of the great usefulness of estrogen receptor determinations in selecting therapy for breast cancer patients, a number of histochemical and immunohistochemical methods for visualizing bound estrogen in cells and tissue sections have been proposed. We discuss all of these histochemical methods in the light of the known properties of the estrogen receptor and other estrogen binders, and we consider some criteria that must be met if such

Immunocytochemical staining of estrogen receptor in paraffin sections of human breast cancer by use of monoclonal antibody: comparison with that in frozen sections.

“…However, sucrose gradient analysis revealed that the antibodies against estradiol do not necessarily detect the estradiol-ER complex (16). In addition, affinity of the estradiol-conjugate for ER was shown to be extremely low when compared with that of free estradiol (17)(18)(19). Although these published methods were aimed at visualizing the specific binding of estrogen to ER, the methods of tissue preparation used in these studies could not prevent the loss of ER through diffusion or the reduced ability of estrogen to bind to its receptor (20).…”

“…Although these published methods were aimed at visualizing the specific binding of estrogen to ER, the methods of tissue preparation used in these studies could not prevent the loss of ER through diffusion or the reduced ability of estrogen to bind to its receptor (20). Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the stains obtained by these immunocytochemical and cytochemical methods are not specific for ER (16)(17)(18)(19)(20).Recently, monoclonal antibodies to human ER were developed by Greene et al (21) and Miller et al (22). By use of these monoclonal antibodies against ER, King and Greene first demonstrated ER in frozen tissue sections prepared from human breast cancer and other sources (23).…”

“…Although these published methods were aimed at visualizing the specific binding of estrogen to ER, the methods of tissue preparation used in these studies could not prevent the loss of ER through diffusion or the reduced ability of estrogen to bind to its receptor (20). Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the stains obtained by these immunocytochemical and cytochemical methods are not specific for ER (16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Comparison of the Effects of Two Fixatives for Immunolocalization of Testosterone in the Testes of the Cynomolgus Monkey, Mouse and Rat.

“…Although antisera to steroid hormones has repeatedly been used in immunohisto-or cytochemical study, their suitability is a matter of discussion [3,13] regarding information provided by the staining. Portions of the steroids were most likely lost during tissue processing [7,13].…”

Importance of Genomic Profiling: Applications for Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis and Prediction of Response

“…Many trials attempted to determine the impact of hormone receptor status in breast cancer, and two different subgroups of breast tumors were described (hormone-receptor-positive or -negative), which have different responses to therapy and different natural histories. Current technological developments have improved our understanding of breast cancer, and new biomarkers have been described [1][2][3]. A key biomarker is the HER-2 receptor, belongs to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) family.…”