17 beta-estradiol, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, progesterone and cortisol receptors in normal and neoplastic human endometrium.

Using the value of 0.24 fmoles/microgram DNA as breaking point between high and low binding capacities, we quantified receptors for 17 beta-estradiol (ER), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHTR), progesterone (PR) and cortisol (CR) in normal and neoplastic human uterine tissues. Concerning receptors occurrence, significant relationships were observed between ER and PR, ER and DHTR, and DHTR and PR. A direct correlation between the presence of ER and tumor grading was found: PR was less frequent in grade II and absent in grade III endometrial carcinoma, however this was not a significant correlation. In endometrial carcinoma at least 1 of the receptors was detected in 67-91% of the cases, 3 receptors (ER, DHTR, PR) in 56%, and all 4 receptors in 45%. The simultaneous detection of multiple receptors could play an important role in determining hormone response.