title: Specific estradiol binding in schwannomas, meningiomas, and neurofibromas.
abstract: The cytoplasmic fractions of schwannomas (acoustic neuromas), meningiomas, and neurofibromas were assayed for the presence of estrogen receptors. Specific estradiol binding was detected in 7 of 16 schwannomas, 7 of 10 meningiomas, and 1 of 6 neurofibromas. A nontumorous vestibular nerve was also studied and showed no estradiol binding. In the tumors, the concentration of the estradiol binding sites as estimated by saturation binding analysis covered a wide range of values (21 to 2430 fmol/g of tumor) but, overall, meningiomas contained the highest amount of estradiol binder. A Scatchard plot analysis of one of the schwannoma specimens demonstrated high affinity estradiol binding (Ka = 1.695 X 10(10) M-1). Although there were more females than males in each tumor category, the overall incidence of estradiol binding was similar in males (5 of 11, 45%) and in females (10 of 21, 48%). In 5 cases, progestin binding was also measured and was detected in two meningiomas (both from female patients); one meningioma and two neurofibromas showed no progestin binding. A discussion is presented of the possible role of estradiol in the pathogenesis or modulation of meningeal and Schwann cell tumors as well as in the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D008579:Meningioma / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000378:metabolism*; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000378:metabolism; D011397:Promegestone / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011397:Promegestone