Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 52, 1225-1229, Copyright © 1981 by Endocrine Society
Estradiol and progesterone receptors in human breast fibroadenomas
F Kuttenn, S Fournier, JC Durand and P Mauvais-Jarvis
Estradiol and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) were studied in 46 breast
fibroadenomas obtained at different periods of the menstrual cycle (n = 38)
or from patients under combined estrogen-progestagen contraceptive (n = 4)
or substitutive progestagen treatment for progesterone insufficiency (n =
4). Cytosolic and nuclear ER (ERc and ERn) increased throughout the
follicular phase and were at their maximal level in the preovulatory phase.
They decreased during the luteal phase. PR levels were high in the
follicular phase, especially in the cytosol (PRc). PRc then decreased while
nuclear progesterone receptor (PRn) increased at the beginning of the
luteal phase. Thereafter, PRc and PRn decreased and remained low during the
luteal phase. PRc and PRn levels in fibroadenomas from patients under
estrogen- progestagen therapy were similar to those found during the luteal
phase of untreated patients. In patients receiving a substitutive
progestagen treatment to correct progesterone insufficiency, PRn was
markedly higher than PRc. The existence of ER and PR in breast
fibroadenomas and the variations in their levels during the menstrual cycle
or under hormonal treatment provide valuable information on the hormone
dependency of breast fibroadenoma.
