[Expressions of aromatase protein and sex hormone receptor in endometrial lesions]

To investigate the expression of aromatase protein, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and nuclear antigen associated with cell proliferation Ki67 in endometrial diseases and their clinical significance in diagnosis and endocrine therapy of endometrial diseases.

Expressions of aromatase, ER, PR and Ki-67 were detected with immunohistochemistry technic (streptavidin-peroxidase-biotin, SP) in 148 cases including 30 of endometrial hyperplasia, 30 of atypical proliferation and 88 of endometrial adenocarcinoma as observational group and 15 cases of proliferative endometrium and 15 cases of secretory endometrium as control group.

Expression of aromatase protein and ER, PR, Ki67 in endometrial hyperplasia, atypical proliferation had no significant difference comparing with the proliferative endometrium group (P > 0.05). In endometrial adenocarcinoma, the expression of aromatase protein increased obviously (64%, 56/88), which was higher than in benign diseases [atypical proliferation group was 23% (7/30), endometrial hyperplasia group was 13% (4/30)] and control group significantly (P < 0.01). The positive expression of ER, PR in endometrial adenocarcinoma decreased [22% (19/88), 19% (17/88)], and Ki67 increased (41%, 36/88) and there was a significant difference compared with control group (P < 0.01). The positive rate of aromatase protein did not increase with the progress of clinical stage or grade of cellular differentiation. Aromatase was not consistent with ER, PR and Ki67 in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Aromatase protein is related to the incidence of endometrial adenocarcinoma, and the expression of proteins (aromatase, ER, PR and Ki67) provides theoretical basis for understanding biological behavior of endometrial adenocarcinoma.