title: A new assay to assess steroid-hormone responsiveness in head and neck cancer.
abstract: A new assay has been developed to predict the effectiveness of steroid-hormone therapy in various tumors. The Biopsy Nuclear Binding assay measures the amount of biologically active receptor that binds both steroid hormone and acceptor sites in the nucleus. This assay does not measure the entire receptor population, only those that are biologically active; therefore, it should more accurately predict the response to steroid-hormone therapy. We applied this assay effectively in breast and endometrial carcinoma. Preliminary studies have shown that 40% of patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinomas have biologically active (nuclear bound) progesterone receptors. If nuclear binding predicts a remission with hormonal therapy, then the quality of life of appropriately selected patients could greatly improve.
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000032:analysis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone