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Immunohistologic and histochemical methods for detection of steroid binding in breast cancer: A reappraisal

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Summary

A review of the current literature on immunohistologic and histochemical methods for the detection of steroid hormone binding sites in breast cancer, reveals that many, but not all of the criteria for establishing hormone-receptor binding interactions have been met. These include tissue specificity, binding between labeled ligands and soluble receptor in vitro, correlations between histochemical and biochemical assays, as well as between histologic procedures and tumor hormone responsiveness. However, histochemical binding phenomena do not appear to follow classical receptor dogma in regard to the concentration of ligand required, or specificity of binding as determined by competitive binding assays. It is concluded that these histologic techniques may be detecting classical receptor that may be reacting differently than would be expected from biochemical analyses, Types II and III binding sites, and/or organelle and membrane-bound receptors. Certainly no current method should presently be promoted as a laboratory method for the detection of classical receptor. New immunocytologic procedures employing specific, antireceptor sera currently under development, may obviate many of the criticisms leveled against earlier methods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Division of Endocrinology, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, USA

    Louis P. Pertschuk D. O., Karen Byer Eisenberg B.S.N., M.P.S., Virginia C. Leo R.N. & Eric Gaetjens Ph.D.

  2. School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, USA

    Ellis H. Tobin B.A.

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, USA

    Anne C. Carter M.D.

  4. Department of Surgery, New York Medical College, USA

    Norman D. Bloom M.D.

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  1. Louis P. Pertschuk D. O.
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  2. Ellis H. Tobin B.A.
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  3. Anne C. Carter M.D.
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  4. Karen Byer Eisenberg B.S.N., M.P.S.
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  5. Virginia C. Leo R.N.
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  6. Eric Gaetjens Ph.D.
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  7. Norman D. Bloom M.D.
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Address for reprints: Dr. L.P. Pertschuk, Box 25, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.

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Pertschuk, L.P., Tobin, E.H., Carter, A.C. et al. Immunohistologic and histochemical methods for detection of steroid binding in breast cancer: A reappraisal. Breast Cancer Res Tr 1, 297–314 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01806746

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