Oestrogen-receptor status and endocrine therapy of breast cancer: response rates and status stability.
The concentration of cellular oestrogen receptor (RE) was measured in both the soluble and nuclear-pellet fractions of biopsies from 1,000 breast cancers. Data suggest that functional steroid RE is always in equilibrium between the soluble and nuclear fractions. However, biopsies from only one-third of patients contained detectable amounts of high-affinity RE in both fractions. Thirty patients out of 42 (71%) whose biopsies contained RE in both fractions, showed objective remission after receiving some form of hormonal manipulation as sole treatment. Response rates in the other categories ranged from 9% for those whose biopsies contained no detectable RE to 24% for those who displayed soluble RE alone. The presence of RE in both fractions of primary disease, whereas RE-negativity was maintained during progression from primary to secondary disease. Other aspects of RE status in relation to stage of disease are analysed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000628:therapy; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000032:analysis; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013629:Tamoxifen