[Demonstration of estradiol and progesterone receptors in histological preparations]

Oestradiol receptors were demonstrated using the technique of Sin Hang Lee. Receptors are seen after incubation of a section of breast tissue frozen immediately before, with oestradiol bound to a fluorescent molecule (17 beta-oestradiol-6-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate). By the same technique, it is possible to visualise progesterone receptors (11 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone hemisuccinate-bovine serum albuminum-tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate). This technique was applied routinely to all breast specimens sent to the laboratory. There were approximately 30 carcinomas, 10 fibroadenomas and 10 dysplasic lesions. Infiltrating carcinomas contained oestrogenic receptors, their distribution being heterogeneous. They appeared to consist of a mixture in varying proportions of positive and negative cells. Intracanalicular carcinomas contained little or no receptors. Receptors were present in Paget cells whilst surrounding keratinocytes contained none. Young fibroadenomas showed the presence of receptors within their epithelial and fibroblastic elements. By contrast, fibroadenomas in a state of involution were negative. Dysplasias may contain receptors, the quantity and distribution showing no typical pattern. In particular, intracanalicular epithelial proliferations may contain receptors. The results of this technique have not yet been correlated with those of "exchanges in vitro".