Steroid receptors in kidney tumours

The presence of androgen and oestrogen receptors in normal and malignant human kidneys is reported. Characterization of these receptors was performed by glycerol gradient centrifugation and isoelectric focusing. Androgen receptors were detected in 40% of the tissues and its concentration was higher in the malignant kidneys. Oestrogen receptors were demonstrable in 8 out of 9 tumours, but only one out of 7 normal kidneys. The level of this receptor was extremely low.