Nuclear oestrogen receptors and treatment of breast cancer.
In an attempt to improve the predictive value of oestrogen-receptor measurements in breast-tumour biopsy specimens, oestrogen receptor was measured at both cytoplasmic and nuclear levels. Although 33% of patients had receptors at both levels, another 17% had cytoplasmic but no nuclear receptors. Theoretically, this latter group would not be expected to respond to hormone therapy. 7% had nuclear but not cytoplasmic receptors. The six-month follow-up data for the group of patients with receptors at both cytoplasmic and nuclear levels suggests qualitatively that this group has a good chance of responding favourably to hormone therapy. Much larger numbers must be accumulated before quantitative conclusions can be reached.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000032:analysis*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen