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Estrogen receptor-beta expression in extraabdominal fibromatoses: an analysis of 40 cases
Andrea T Deyrup1, Maria Tretiakova, Anthony G Montag
1Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Background:
Early experiments using ligand-binding assays demonstrated the presence of estrogen receptor (ER) in fibromatoses. These findings were not confirmed by later studies using immunohistochemical analysis.
Methods:
To verify the expression of ERs in fibromatosis as well as to clarify the inconsistency between radioligand and early immunohistochemical studies, the authors examined a series of 40 extraabdominal fibromatoses using antibodies raised against ERbeta.
Results:
All 40 cases of extraabdominal fibromatosis were at least focally positive for ERbeta. Thirty-three of 40 (83%) displayed 3+ (>50%) expression, 5 of 40 (12%) were 2+ (11-50%), and 2 of 40 (5%) cases showed 1+ (<10%) expression. All cases were negative for ERalpha.
Conclusions:
Although extraabdominal fibromatosis does not express ERalpha, there appears to be nearly uniform expression of ERbeta. This finding clarifies discrepancies in the literature regarding estrogen expression in fibromatosis, and provides a biological mechanism for the action of antiestrogenic compounds in the treatment of fibromatosis. Estrogen antagonists may have a role in the treatment of refractory or recurrent extraabdominal fibromatoses.
