Estradiol and progesterone receptor levels in human breast cancer in relation to cytosol and plasma estrogen level.

Estradiol receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) content along with the cytosol and plasma estrone and estradiol levels in 15 premenopausal and 26 postmenopausal women with breast cancer in different clinical stages (T123, N01, M0) were measured. ER-positive tumor frequency and the ER content tended to be higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal patients. There was no evidence for a relationship between high cytosol estrogen levels and low receptor measurements.

Age-related changes of plasma steroids in normal adult males.

Plasma cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P), testosterone (T), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT, estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2), were measured in 94 normal adult men aged between 20-99, using RIA methods after chromatographic separation of steroids on Sephadex LH-20 columns. All plasma steroids except 17-OH-P, were age dependent: cortisol, testosterone and DHT decreased significantly with age, whereas estrone and estradiol were significantly increased in elderly men. Cortisol, testosterone, T/DHT ratio and estradiol levels were significantly correlated with age.

Plasma steroids in benign prostatic hypertrophy and carcinoma of the prostate.

Cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P), progesterone, testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) were determined by RIA after chromatographic separation of steroids on Sephadex LH-20 columns, in 54 hospitalized patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in 32 hospitalized patients with prostatic carcinoma (PCA) (T34, N01, M01). The patients' values were compared with those of 63 age-matched controls. Increased cortisol and DHT levels, subnormal estrogen and 17-OH-P values and normal progesterone level were found in both benign and malignant groups.

Adrenal function in early and metastatic breast cancer: dexamethasone suppression of plasma cortisol.

Plasma cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P), progesterone, FSH, LH and prolactin were determined by RIA, in 14 cancer patients without metastases aged between 40 and 74 years (6 cases of breast cancer: T123, N01, M0 and 8 with other forms of cancer). The cancer patients were investigated: (A) under basal conditions, (B) after three days' adrenal suppression by dexamethasone, 3 mg/day and (C) immediately after local radiation therapy (4500 rads). The basal mean hormonal values in these patients showed increased cortisol, decrease 17-OH-P and normal values of progesterone, FSH, LH and prolactin.