SEX HORMONE-RECEPTOR-NEGATIVE TUMORS HAVE A HIGHER PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY THAN SEX HORMONE-RECEPTOR-POSITIVE TUMORS IN HUMAN ADENOCARCINOMAS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

To determine whether a correlation exists between hormone receptors an d their proliferative activities, the levels of estrogen receptors (ER ) and progesterone receptors (PgR) in surgical specimens from 23 patie nts with gastric cancer and from 32 patients with colorectal cancer we re investigated using an enzyme immunoassay. These values were examine d in relation to the parameters of cell kinetics determined by DNA flo w cytometry. When the cutoff value was determined as 2.0 fmol/mg of cy tosolic protein, ER and PgR were found in 13 (56%) and 6 (26%) of the 23 patients with gastric cancer, respectively, and in 10 (31%) and 10 (31%) of the 32 patients with colorectal cancer, respectively. There w as a significant correlation in the expressions of ER between the canc er tissues and normal mucosa (P = 0.040). Although the expressions of ER or PgR were apparently not related to pathological status, better c orrelations of hormone receptor-negative tumors with increased hyperan euploid levels were evident. According to a multiple regression analys is, ER levels significantly correlated with changes in the DNA index ( P = 0.041) and in the heterogeneity index score (HIS) (P = 0.034), Thu s, sex hormone receptors proved to be relevant factors associated with the proliferative activity of adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. These findings indicate that the expression of hormone receptor s provides pertinent biological information required to determine adeq uate therapeutic regimens in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.