Steroid receptors in meningiomas

Cytosolic estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) were evaluated in 10 meningiomas using a dextran charcoal coated method. We consider as positive specific receptor values greater than or equal to 10 fMol/mg protein. In this study 20% of the meningiomas contained very low titers of specific ER. PR was detectable in 90% of the tumors, at high levels. The mean PR content of PR+ tumors was 60 +/- 38 fMol/mg prot. GR and AR were present in moderate levels, in 70% of the tumors. Competition studies demonstrated steroid specificity for these hormone-binding proteins. Female patients have a higher receptor incidence and titer. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that the meningioma are a target tissue for steroids and that endocrine therapy may be relevant to unoperable and/or recurrent tumors.