Expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and type 5 in breast cancer and adjacent non-malignant tissue: a correlation to clinicopathological parameters.
Estrogens play an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) type 2 and type 5 are involved in sex steroid metabolism. 17beta-HSD type 2 converts estradiol to estrone while 17beta-HSD type 5 converts androstenedione to testosterone. Using immunocytochemistry, we have studied the expression of 17beta-HSD type 2 and type 5 in 50 specimens of breast carcinoma and adjacent non-malignant tissues. The results were correlated with the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta), progesterone receptor A (PRA) and B (PRB), androgen receptor and CDC47 and with the tumor stage, tumor size, nodal status and menopausal status. 17beta-HSD type 2 was expressed in 20% and 17beta-HSD type 5 in 56% of breast cancer specimens. In adjacent normal tissues, both enzymes were highly expressed in almost all the patients. No significant association could be found between the expression of 17beta-HSD type 2 and 17beta-HSD type 5 and between the expression of each enzyme and the clinicopathological parameters studied. The decrease in 17beta-HSD type 2 and 17beta-HSD type 5 expressions in breast cancer may play a predominant role in the development and/or progression of the cancer by modifying the intratumoral levels of estrogens and androgens.
Han
B
B
Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Hospital Research Center, 2705 Laurier blvd, Quebec City, Qc, G1V 4G2, Canada.
Li
S
S
Song
D
D
Poisson-Paré
D
D
Liu
G
G
Luu-The
V
V
Ouellet
J
J
Li
S
S
Labrie
F
F
Pelletier
G
G
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000074425:Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3; D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000201:enzymology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004960:Estradiol Dehydrogenases; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006911:Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases; D008875:Middle Aged; D011817:Rabbits; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C101118:progesterone receptor A; C097314:progesterone receptor B; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006911:Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases; C487341:AKR1C3 protein, human; D000074425:Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3; D004960:Estradiol Dehydrogenases; C523763:HSD17B2 protein, human