New Insights into Expression of Hormonal Receptors by Meningiomas

Meningiomas have a female predilection, which is even stronger for spinal than for intracranial meningiomas. The relationship between meningiomas and endogenous or exogenous sex hormones such as cyproterone acetate (CPA) is well documented, yet their underlying mechanism remains unknown. Clarification of the expression profile of hormonal receptors by meningiomas would help us to better understand their hormonal susceptibility.

We used tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry to determine the receptor status of the 3 main sex hormones: androgen (AR), estrogen, and progesterone (PR) in 30 intracranial meningiomas, 30 spinal meningiomas, and 30 meningiomas developed on CPA.

AR status was positive in 73% of meningiomas in the intracranial group, 87% of meningiomas in the CPA group, and in all meningiomas in the spinal group. Estrogen status was positive in only 7% of meningiomas in the intracranial group and in only 3% of meningiomas in the CPA group but in 30% of meningiomas in the spinal group. PR status was positive in 90% of meningiomas in the intracranial group, in 97% of meningiomas in the CPA group, and in 87% of meningiomas in the spinal group. These specific hormonal receptor statuses based on immunoreactive score were reflected on staining intensities. Furthermore, AR and PR expression was correlated in each group.

Our study shows that intracranial meningiomas, spinal meningiomas, and meningiomas developed on CPA express specific hormonal receptor patterns. This result invites the scientific community to review the potential role of AR in the unbalanced sex ratio of meningiomas.