Meta-analysis of progestin and estrogen receptors in human meningiomas

Among 301 human meningiomas published in the literature, 69% were progestin receptor (PgR)-positive. Estrogen receptors (ER) were detected in only 13% of the samples. The PgR levels were also elevated (p < 0.001) compared to the ER concentration. No association with sex, age, menstrual status or tumor location was found. Meningiomas with typical histology (75/171), were PgR-positive in significantly greater proportion than the atypical (12/171) or transitional (27/171) tumors. The PgR levels in the typical meningiomas were also increased (p = 0.005) compared to the atypical or transitional meningiomas. The ER levels did not differ by histology. The association of PgR levels with different histologic types is not well documented in the literature. Such an association is important for the understanding of the natural history of this disease as well as in the design and evaluation of therapeutic trials.