Steroid hormone receptor expression in male breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate expression of the steroid hormone receptors estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta, progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR) in male breast cancer.


METHODS
Specimens from 16 male breast cancers were immunostained for ERalpha, ERbeta, PR and AR.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven percent of tumours expressed ERalpha, 93% PR, 87% ERbeta and 87% AR. Staining for ERalpha and PR was confined exclusively to the nuclei of epithelial cells with some heterogeneity. Nuclear immunoreactivity was also observed with AR. Again this was restricted to epithelial cells but tended to be more uniform. ERbeta was seen in the nuclei of epithelial cells and also in stromal fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Analysis of serial sections revealed a similar pattern of staining with ERbeta and AR in epithelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to expression of the better known steroid receptors, ERalpha, PR and AR, we have demonstrated a high rate of expression of ERbeta in male breast cancer. This is in keeping with the generally high steroid receptor expression seen in males. However, the abundance of ERbeta expressed in this small series of male breast cancer is in contrast to female breast cancer where ERbeta expression is often reduced.
Murphy
C E
CE
Molecular Medicine Unit, St James's University Hospital, University of Leeds, Clinical Sciences Building, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
Carder
P J
PJ
Lansdown
M R J
MR
Speirs
V
V
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone