Sex steroid receptors in normal and malignant endometrium

Estradiol and progesterone receptor concentrations have been measured and their hormonal regulation extensively studied in normal human endometrium. However, in endometrial cancer, the biochemical assays presently used face the complex problem of tumor and tissue heterogeneity. This problem may be circumvented by immunocytochemistry on tissue sections proven to be histologically malignant. The in vivo experimental model developed in our laboratory is an ideal source of tissue necessary for purification of the progesterone receptor and antibody production. Hopefully, the physiology of the receptor may be studied under ideal conditions in this experimental system.