Steroid receptors in human brain and spinal cord tumors.

Previous investigators have shown evidence of hormonal receptor protein in human brain tumors. In spite of conflicting results, antiestrogen agents (e.g., tamoxifen) have been used in clinical trials of recurrent unresectable meningiomas. In an effort to accrue further comprehensive in vitro data on this subject, we have evaluated 50 human brain and spinal tumors for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptor markers. Twenty-nine of the 50 tumors were meningiomas. The other 21 included 11 gliomas of various grades, 5 schwannomas, 3 metastatic carcinomas, 1 angiofibroma, and 1 craniopharyngioma. Only 8 tumors, all meningiomas, were positive for both progesterone and androgen receptors. The 8th tumor was positive for all three receptor proteins. Our study did not find a significant relationship between meningiomas and the presence of steroid receptor protein. We conclude that the use of antiestrogen agents is not indicated in the treatment of meningioma. No significant relationship to sex, menopausal status, tumor type, or tumor location was observed.