Estrogen binding sites on membranes from human laryngeal papilloma

Estrogen binding sites were identified on plasma membranes from biopsy materials (N = 16) of normal human larynx; such binding was found to be specific. In tissue from 22 cases of laryngeal papilloma, membrane binding of 17-beta-estradiol was also specific. Although such binding occurred for papilloma membranes at a comparable affinity, it was clear that all membranes from the papillomatous tissue possessed a 148% greater estrogen binding capacity; there were at least 17 times more estrogen binding sites for each mg of receptor protein on papilloma membrane than for normal laryngeal epithelium. These findings suggest a possible receptor marker for the detection and/or prediction of recurrence of laryngeal papilloma.