Increased dihydrotestosterone receptor levels in high-stage renal adenocarcinoma.
Primary renal adenocarcinoma tissue, metastatic deposits, and normal kidney parenchyma from 16 patients were assayed for sex hormone receptors by dextran-coated charcoal adsorption and sucrose gradient centrifugation techniques. Dihydrotestosterone receptors (DHTR) were found in all renal carcinomatous tissue (20/20) and in 93% (13/14) autologous normal kidneys analyzed. Testosterone receptors were found in 84% (16/19) of tumors and 93% (14/15) or normal kidneys analyzed. Estrogen receptors in small amounts (ER) were detected in only 5% (1/19) of tumors and in 7% (1/15) of normal kidneys. Progesterone receptors (PR) in low quantities were detected in 30% (6/20) of renal tumors and in 40% (6/15) of normal kidneys. DHTR levels in high-stage tumors (T3, T4) were significantly elevated over levels in autologous normal kidney, whereas in low-stage tumors localized to the kidney (T1 and T2 tumors) DHTR levels were not significantly different from autologous normal kidney. The mean levels of DHTR in high-stage kidney tumors were significantly elevated over levels in low-stage tumors (P less than 0.001). DHTR estimation in renal neoplasms may help in biologic staging of renal adenocarcinoma and could define a group of patients in whom anti-androgen therapy may be worth a trial.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002606:Charcoal; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000032:analysis*
D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D002606:Charcoal