[Steroid receptors and NK cell activity in patients with breast cancer].

Taking into account the important role of oestrogen and NK cells in the process of cancerogenesis, the content of receptors for steroid hormones and NK cell activity was investigated in 31 patients with breast cancer. The analysis of steroid receptors showed the usual distribution with regard to clinical stage. The values of NK cell ativity in peripheral blood of these patients were decreased x = 38.27 +/- 2.84%) compared to controls (X = 57.76 +/- 2.21%), especially in advanced stages, as was previously shown fot this malignancy. General analysis of values for these two parameters did not show a correlation of NK activity and content of steroid receptors. However, the presence of positive progesterone receptors, which reflects the active effect of oestrogen, was associated with very low NK activity (n = 12 PR+, NK x = 29.47 +/- 3.18%), indicating possible negative regulation of immunological parameters by estrogen.