Sex steroid receptors in human meningiomas

Results of experiments on the presence of steroid receptors in a series of 67 meningioma tissues, which were derived from 64 patients are presented. All tissues were studied using dextran-coated charcoal adsorption and Scatchard plot analysis. Progestin receptors were present in a high concentration in more than 80% of the specimens. Very low concentrations of an oestrogen binding agent were found in a limited number of samples. Thus, most meningiomas contain high levels of progestin receptors in the virtual absence of oestrogen receptors. Relations were not observed between progestin receptor-content and the age and sex of the patients, or the location and the histological type of the tumour. The role and action of progestin on meningiomas is still unknown. The presence of progestin receptors, however, suggests that meningioma may be regarded as a true target tissue for progestins.