Expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in gastric cancer: a flow cytometric study

Abstract

Summary Increased expression of oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors have been reported in gastric adenocarcinoma, although results have been variable. Immunohistochemical staining methodologies, in particular in the detection of ER, have been inconsistent with many tumours being classified ER-negative. In this study we have used flow cytometry to quantify expression of ER and PR in gastric adenocarcinoma and examine their relationships with established prognostic indicators. Cytokeratin-positive cells obtained from tumour biopsies of 50 patients with gastric cancer and ten control patients were labelled with biotinylated ER or PR antibodies followed by streptavidin PE. Flow cytometry was seen to increase the detection of ER levels in gastric cancer with more receptor-positive patients in this study than in results published to date. We believe this is related to the sensitivity of the flow cytometric assay with the detection of small shifts in ER level detected using cytokeratin gating. On analysis, the data showed no significant correlations with tumour stage and grade, and no differences were seen between normal mucosa and gastric cancer samples.

Menstrual and reproductive factors and gastric cancer risk in a large prospective study of women

“…Estrogens regulate numerous physiological processes primarily by binding to estrogen receptors, which are potent transcriptional regulators 35. As estrogen receptors are present in gastric epithelial tissue11 13 and have been shown to inhibit inflammation,36 – 38 it is biologically plausible that estrogens could protect against gastric cancer.…”

“…First, the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor, transcriptional regulators that bind to steroid hormones and exert their actions, are expressed in normal and cancerous gastric tissue 11 – 13. Second, male rats are more likely to develop gastric cancer after carcinogen exposure than are female rats 14 15.…”

A MAP3k1 SNP Predicts Survival of Gastric Cancer in a Chinese Population

“…Previous studies have suggested that the steroid hormone-mediated signaling pathway has an important role in the progression of gastric cancer [20]–[22]. Of the hormones implicated in relating to gastric cancer, estrogen was reported to be closely involved in gastric cancer carcinogenesis and development.…”

Effects of Estradiol and Progesterone on Gastric Mucosal Response to Early Helicobacter pylori Infection in Female Gerbils

“…The effects of E2 and P4 have been evaluated on several different tissues and cell types. Although information about E2 and P4 effects on gastric tissue is scarce, E2 and P4 receptors have been found in the normal human stomach, gastric cancer tissues, and cell lines [35–37]. In the intact rat stomach, differential expression of E2 receptor isoforms α and β in gastric antrum and fundus has been observed.…”