Immunohistochemical localization of estradiol, progesterone, and progesterone receptor in human salivary glands and salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas.

Immunohistochemical analyses of estradiol, progesterone and progesterone receptor were carried out in human salivary gland and salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. Immunoreactivity to estradiol and progesterone was found in cytoplasm of the cells of the excretory duct system within normal salivary glands, whereas the progesterone receptor was restricted to nuclei of the cells where both sex steroids were positive. In addition, we demonstrated the presence of both sex steroids and the receptor for progesterone in salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas. These data indicate that the human salivary gland is one of the target tissues of estrogen. This also suggests the good possibility that tumors which express progesterone receptors will respond to endocrine therapy.