Simultaneous estradiol and progesterone receptor analysis in meningiomas.

The availability of [125I]estradiol and [3H]R5020, a synthetic gestagen, have made it possible to determine estradiol and progesterone receptors simultaneously in 70 meningiomas with a double-labeling assay. With this technique, complete Scatchard analysis can be carried out for both receptors, even with small amounts of tumor tissue such as biopsy specimens. Low levels of estradiol receptor reactivity were found in 11%, whereas specific progesterone receptors were demonstrated in 76%, of the meningiomas examined. No correlation of receptor concentration with sex or age of the patients or with location of the tumor has yet been demonstrated. However, indications of a correlation between gestagen binding activity and histological subtypes were found. The presence of progesterone receptors in a large proportion of meningiomas could have implications for tumor therapy.