17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 is an independent prognostic marker in breast cancer.

Estrogens have an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17HSD1), type 2 (17HSD2), and type 5 (17HSD5) are associated with sex steroid metabolism in normal and cancerous breast tissue. The mRNA expressions of the 17HSD1, 17HSD2, and 17HSD5 enzymes were analyzed in 794 breast carcinoma specimens by using tissue microarrays and normal histologic sections.

17Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2: independent prognostic significance and evidence of estrogen protection in female patients with colon cancer.

The mRNA expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) types 1 and 2 enzymes catalyzing opposite reaction of estrogen metabolism was investigated in colon cancer. Further, the significance of the 17HSD type 2 enzyme as a possible marker of colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis was studied. In the normal mucosa, 17HSD type 2 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the surface epithelium and in the upper parts of the crypts.

Sex steroid metabolism in human gastric mucosa: 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in normal, inflamed and neoplastic gastric tissues.

The 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) enzymes are involved in the regulation of the biological activity of sex steroids. We analyzed the expression of 17HSD type 1 and 2 enzymes which catalyze opposite reactions of estrogen metabolism, in normal gastric mucosa and various gastric diseases of 81 tissue specimens. No expression of 17HSD type 1 mRNA was observed in any of the specimens.

Downregulation of estrogen-metabolizing 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression correlates inversely with Ki67 proliferation marker in colon-cancer development.

The 17HSDs are a group of isozymes that catalyze the interconversion between high-activity 17 beta-hydroxysteroids and low-activity 17-ketosteroids. In the present study, we characterized the expression of 17HSD types 1 and 2 in normal and malignant gastrointestinal tissues and cells. Using the colon as a model for cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, expression of the 17HSD enzymes in cancer development was studied and correlated with proliferation and differentiation markers as assessed by Ki67 and mucin staining, respectively.