Analysis of sex-hormone-receptor expression in laryngeal carcinoma

There are significant differences in how laryngeal cancer affects the two genders, with cases occuring predominantly in males. This has been speculated to result from the different susceptibilities of the tumor cells to steroid sex hormones. Since the sex hormone action is mediated by specific cellular receptors, several previous studies have analyzed the presence of these sex-hormone receptors. However, the data on the receptor status for androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors in laryngeal carcinomas are controversial. Since some authors have suggested antiandrogen or antiestrogen therapy as an adjuvant treatment for laryngeal carcinoma, we performed a comprehensive study using immunomorphological and biochemical techniques on both in-vivo and in-vitro tumor cells in order to clarify whether major sex-hormone receptors are present or not. We performed an immunohistochemical analysis on 13 patients with laryngeal carcinomas, 8 males and 5 females, using monoclonal antibodies against androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors. In addition, the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors was tested biochemically using an enzyme immune assay (EIA). Furthermore, we analyzed immunohistochemically the expression of the hormone receptors in five keratinocyte cell lines originating from laryngeal carcinomas. In all of our tumor samples, as well as in the five tumor cell lines tested, we did not detect any specific immunohistochemical staining for androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors in the laryngeal carcinoma cells when compared to the positive controls of breast and prostate cancer samples. Similarly, the biochemical analysis did not demonstrate any significant amount of receptor protein in the analyzed cases. In conclusion, the absence of male and female sex-hormone receptors strongly argues against laryngeal carcinomas being sex-hormone-dependent tumors. Therefore, we do not see any rational indication to use a specific antiandrogen or antiestrogen therapy for the adjuvant treatment of laryngeal carcinomas.