Expression of androgen receptors in benign and malignant endometrial stromal neoplasms

Abstract

Several studies have shown that endometrial stromal neoplasms express estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR). To our knowledge, the presence or absence of androgen receptors (AR) in these rare uterine neoplasms has not been investigated. Tumors ( n=20)-3 endometrial stromal nodules, 14 low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS, low grade), and 3 high-grade endometrial sarcomas (undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma, UES)-were studied. Immunohistochemical analyses for ER, PR, and AR were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival material. Positive immunoreactions for ER and PR were observed in 14 (70%) and 17 (85%) cases, respectively. Furthermore, 9 cases (45%) were positive for AR. Among 17 ESS and UES cases, 7 (41%) revealed positivity for AR. Two of three benign stromal nodules were also positive for AR. Moreover, one of the three high-grade sarcomas (undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma) was negative for both ER and PR, but showed positive reaction for AR. In summary, ARs are expressed in 45% of endometrial stromal neoplasms. In addition to determination of ER and PR, the results of immunohistochemical examination of AR in these rare uterine tumors may have some impact on the postoperative management of the patients.

Immunoexpression of Androgen Receptor in the Nontumorous Pituitary and in Adenomas

“…In brain, they are found mainly in hypothalamic neurons but also at other sites (Tables 1 and 2). A variety of animal studies have established the precise distribution of ARs in the hypothalamus and pituitary; these are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. In human neoplasms, ARs have been identified in carcinomas of prostate [11], breast [17,18], ovary [12], and endometrium [13,14], as well as in meningiomas [15] and in pituitary adenomas [16][17][18][19][20]. All but one of the latter studies, a limited immunohistochemical examination [19], was biochemical in nature.…”

Molecular mechanisms of endometrial stromal sarcoma and undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma as premises for new therapeutic strategies

“…A high percentage of ESS cases express hormone receptors, especially estrogen (40-100%) and progesterone (60-100%) receptors [10,21,22]. On the other hand, contradictory data were published regarding the expression of androgen receptors in uterine sarcomas [23,24]. Hormonal therapies seem to have differential efficacy in ESS and UES.…”

The cytogenetics and molecular biology of endometrial stromal sarcoma

“…Androgen receptors (AR) are expressed in nearly 50% of ESS (Moinfar et al, 2004b). The presence of aromatase in low-grade ESS has been reported (Reich and Regauer, 2004) and inhibition of this enzyme as an approach to therapy has been described (Leunen et al, 2004).…”