Oestrogen receptor beta expression in pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland.
OBJECTIVE
Pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland have gender and age distributions suggesting that oestrogen has a causal role. However, oestrogen receptor (ER)alpha is expressed at low levels in normal salivary gland tissues and data from salivary gland tumours are conflicting. There is preliminary evidence that the recently described ERbeta may be the major ER in salivary gland tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the nature and extent of ERbeta expression in pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland.


METHODS
Pleomorphic adenomas and normal tissues of the parotid gland from 49 patients were tested for ERalpha and ERbeta expression by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry. Associations were sought with patient age and gender.


RESULTS
ERalpha and ERbeta expression was localised mainly to the nuclei of ductal cells in normal tissues and the epithelial components in pleomorphic adenomas. Within each tissue and receptor type there were no associations between ER positivity and patient age or gender. ERbeta was expressed in almost twice as many normal tissues and pleomorphic adenomas as ERalpha. Expression of ERbeta was also significantly higher in tumour compared with normal tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
This is thought to be the first study of ERbeta in pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland. Findings support ERbeta as the major ER in salivary glands, and provide evidence that ERbeta may have a role in the development of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland.
Wong
M H W
MH
The Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia. ent.auz@gmail.com
Dobbins
T A
TA
Tseung
J
J
Tran
N
N
Lee
C S
CS
O'Brien
C J
CJ
Clark
J
J
Rose
B R
BR
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins