Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

Abstract

Using a variety of techniques, estrogen and progesterone receptors have previously been identified in variable percentages of malignant melanomas. We examined 10 primary superficial spreading melanomas (SSM) with a fluorescent hormone-binding technique for estrogen and progesterone cytoplasmic receptors. Of these 6 SSM were markedly positive for estrogen and progesterone binding. Patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome (DNS) or a family history of DNS were markedly positive for estrogen and progesterone binding. A single patient with lentigo maligna and another patient with lentigo maligna melanoma were negative for estrogen and progesterone binding. None of the 21 control intradermal nevi examined for estrogen and progesterone binding exhibited marked positivity.

Thickness of Malignant Melanoma: Global Analysis of Related Factors

“…Estrogen receptors have been found on melanoma cells (Grill et al, 1982; Ellis et al, 1985a,b; Ellis and Wheeland, 1986; Thompson et al, 1981). The fact that female hormones may have a protective effect in patients with MM (Briele et al, 1983) possibly is a factor in why females have thinner lesions.…”

“…Selected Literature : The fact that MM rarely occurs before puberty and that estrogen receptors have been found on MM cells (McCarty et al, 1980; Ellis and Wheeland, 1986; Ellis et al, 1985a,b) suggests that the level of estrogens (which are related to the menstrual status of the patient) may play a role in the risk for or growth rate of MM.…”

“…2 2 Brocker et al, 1984, 1985; Bumol and Reisfeld, 1982; Ellis et al, 1985b; Ellis and Wheeland, 1986; Halpern et al, 1985; Hearing, 1981; Herlyn et al, 1983; Hersey, 1985; Imai et al, 1981; Imam et al, 1986; Kantor et al, 1982; Knudsen et al, 1982; Kozlowski et al, 1984; Natali et al, 1983a,b, 1985; Nicolson, 1982; Real et al, 1985; Ruiter et al, 1985; Sherwin et al, 1979; Stefansson et al, 1982; Thompson et al, 1981; Tomita et al, 1985; Wakabayashi et al, 1984; Watanabe et al, 1982. …”

Oestrogen receptor‐β expression in melanocytic lesions

“…Prior to the first cloning of an oestrogen receptor in 1986 (1), the presence of an oestrogen receptor or binding protein in melanocytic lesions was indirectly demonstrated by using ligand-binding methods (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Subsequently, monoclonal antibodies were developed against what is now recognized as oestrogen receptor alpha (ERa).…”

Evidence for alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) receptors on human malignant melanoma cells

“…Receptors to various hormones and factors exist on malignant melanoma cells: to estrogen, progesterone (Fernoe et al, 1984;Ellis et al, 1985), dexamethasone (Hawkins et al, 1982), nerve growth factor (Grob et al, 1985), epidermal growth factor and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Colston et al, 1981). Melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptors have been described in mouse melanoma and their presence has been suggested in human melanoma.…”