Estrogen and progesterone receptors in intracranial tumors.

Cytoplasmic estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) proteins were measured by a dextran-coated charcoal absorption technique in 19 intracranial tumors (10 meningiomas, two acoustic neurinomas, two glioblastomas, one primary tumor of neuroectodermal origin, one hemangioblastoma, one metastasis of carcinoma, one chordoma, and one pituitary adenoma). Positive PR values (greater than or equal to 10 fmol/mg of protein) were found in nine meningiomas (90% of these tumors), in the chordoma, in one glioblastoma, and in the hemangioblastoma, whereas positive ER values were recorded only in the pituitary adenoma and in one glioblastoma. Evidence of PR in meningiomas might explain their predominance in women. A possible pharmacological therapy, based on these findings, is discussed.