Sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from breast cancer patients to glucocorticoids

We measured DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, calculated hormone-binding sites and intracellular association constant under conditions of phytohemagglutinin stimulation and dexamethasone treatment, and studied the interaction of cells with the glucocorticoid covalently bound to an inert carrier not penetrating into cells. Reduced sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from breast cancer patients to glucocorticoids was demonstrated. The biological mechanisms for hormonal regulation are reviewed here.