title: Steroid sulphatase and oestrogen sulphotransferase in human non-small-cell lung carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Steroid sulphatase (STS) is one of the steroid-metabolising enzymes involved in desulphating inactive steroid sulphates and oestrogen sulphotransferase (EST) sulphates active oestrogen. The roles of both STS and EST have not been examined in oestrogen-dependent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the immunoreactivity of STS and EST in NSCLC cases using immunohistochemistry. The function of STS and EST was further demonstrated using NSCLC cell lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The immunoreactivity of STS and EST was detected in 49.5% and 27.8% of NSCLC cases, respectively. The immunoreactivity of STS was significantly higher in female adenocarcinoma cases. The STS-positive NSCLCs were also significantly correlated in an inversed manner with tumour size and cell proliferation and tended to be associated with better clinical outcome. However, the immunoreactivity of EST was significantly correlated with intracellular oestradiol concentration. Results of in vitro analysis demonstrated that oestrone sulphate (E1-S) induced and pregnenolone sulphate (Preg-S) inhibited the proliferation in STS-expressing cell lines. The inhibition by Preg-S was reversed by a specific progesterone receptor blocker. Simultaneous addition of E1-S and Preg-S significantly suppressed the proliferation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In NSCLC patients, STS is considered a good prognostic factor. Results of our present study also indicated the benefits of potential progesterone therapy for NSCLC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kakinuma
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niikawa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akahira
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasano
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012737:Sex Factors; D043266:Steryl-Sulfatase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015238:Sulfotransferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015238:Sulfotransferases; C020122:estrone sulfotransferase; D043266:Steryl-Sulfatase