in situ oestrone synthesis in normal breast and breast tumour tissues: Effect of treatment with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione

✍ Scribed by M. J. Reed; A. M. Owen; L. C. Lai; N. G. Coldham; M. W. Ghilchik; N. A. Shaikh; V. H. T. James

• Book ID: 102869524
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1989
• Tongue: French
• Weight: 504 KB
• Volume: 44
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7136
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910440208

✦ Synopsis

An isotopic infusion technique has been used in an attempt

to determine the contribution that local, in situ, oestrone synthesis makes to the oestro en content of breast tumours.

women with advanced breast cancer for I 2 hr before operation. A t surgery, normal breast and breast tumour biopsy samples were obtained and 'H-androstenedione, 'H-oestrone derived from 'H-androstenedione and I4C-oestrone were iso- lated and measured. DNA polymerase (Y activity, a marker of cellular proliferation, was also measured to examine whether local synthesis of oestrone exerted a biological effect. The study was repeated after patients had been treated with the aromatase inhibitor, Qhydroxyandrostenedione, before undergoing further surgery for removal of their tumours. In 416 tumours examined, in situ synthesis of 'H-oestrone from 'H-androstenedione accounted for the major part (84.3 f 9.0%) of the 'H-oestrone detected, while no significant in situ synthesis occurred in 2 other tumours. Although treatment with Qhydroxyandrostenedione did not significantly alter the uptake of 'H-androstenedione or "C-oestrone into breast tissues, in situ formation of 'H-oestrone was only detected in one tumour sample after treatment. DNA polymerase a activity decreased in 4/6 tumours after treatment with 4hydroxyandrostenedione. Overall, however, there was no significant correlation between the level of 'H-oestrone formed in situ and DNA polymerase a activity (r = 0.38, NS). It is concluded that in some, but not all, breast tumours in situ formation of oestrone can make an important contribution to the oestrogen content of breast tumours.