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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1989; 93(1): 37-44
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210834
Original

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Plasma Sex Steroids and SHBG in Patients with Breast Cancer and their Relation to Tumor Oestrogen-Dependency

M. Teruel1 , P. Bolufer1 , A. Rodriguez1 , P. Antonio1 , M. T. Salabert2
  • 1Laboratorio de Hormonas. Departamento de Biopatologia. Hospital “La Fè”, Valencia, Spain
  • 2Departamento de Quìmica-Fìsica. Facultad de Faramacia. Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

1988

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

In order to evaluate the possible role of sex steroids in breast cancer and their relation to the presence of oestradiol receptors (ER), ER were quantified in 112 breast adenocareinomas and 14 benign tumours. The sex hormones of the patients were determined in plasma: oestradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, as well as SHBG and gonadotrophins. The ER were evaluated in cytosolic and nuclear fractions. Steroids and gonadotrophins were determined by RIA. SHBG was determined by following a procedure of saturation with tritiated dihydrostestosterone. The mean levels of E2 in postmenopausal women with breast cancer was found to be significantly higher than of the control group. However, no significant variations for the rest of the steroids were seen among the patients with breast cancer and the control group or benign tumour. Nor was any relation found between the presence of ER and the hormonal steroids studied or SHBG. It is suggested that the possible influence of the sex steroids in the etiopathogenesis of breast cancer might be due to the greater production accompanied by a parallel metabolic clearance that would maintain their plasma levels.

Key words

Sex steroids - SHBG - Oestradiol receptors - Breast cancer

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