Glucocorticoid receptors in glioblastoma multiforme: a new approach to antineoplastic glucocorticoid therapy.

Glucocorticoid receptors were measured in tissue samples from 12 patients with glioblastoma multiforme. The receptor was found in all patients. The concentration of glucocorticoid receptor was found to be high in the periphery of the tumour, low in the surrounding brain tissue and low in the central part of the tumour in 6 of the patients. The possible role of the glucocorticoid receptor distribution in relation to growth regulation is discussed. A decreasing receptor concentration found at reoperation in two patients indicates a possible antineoplastic effect of high dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy on glucocorticoid receptor positive glioblastomas.