Comparison of AFP and beta-hCG levels in infiltrating duct mammary carcinoma at different stages of malignancy.

In order to assess the likely clinical value of AFP and beta-hCG levels as markers of the extent of spread of infiltrating duct mammary carcinoma, we compared (Mann-Whitney U test) the immunoreactive tumour tissue concentrations of the respective antigens, measured by specific RIA, after mastectomy in Chinese women at stages I (n = 9), II (n = 13) and III (n = 7) with that of normal breast tissue (n = 11). Elevated concentrations of the oncofetal antigens were found at all stages of malignancy. The discovery of an hCG-like material in the extract of normal breast tissues indicates limited value of beta-hCG assay in mammary tumours. However, our findings generally suggest that measurement of the tumour tissue AFP levels warrant consideration as a useful biochemical marker for in-vitro evaluation of tumour spread at all stages of malignancy.

Histopathology of the testes from male transsexuals on oestrogen therapy.

This study was conducted to determine whether the histopathology of the testis of the male transsexual would throw light on the pathogenesis of male transsexualism. Histological sections of testicular tissues obtained at sex reassignment surgery from phenotypic male transsexuals (n = 10, age 21-33 years) with XY sex chromosome constitution were studied by light microscopy. The patients were diagnosed on clinical and psychiatric evidence and had been on oestrogen therapy for 6-13 years. The significant histological findings in the ten subjects were: (i) Focal or normal spermatogenic activity associated with normal Leydig cell population in three cases, and (ii) Total absence of spermatogenic activity associated with reduced Leydig cell population in seven cases. We suggest that the observed histological features are due to refractoriness to oestrogen, and the iatrogenic effects of oestrogen superimposed on normal or altered hypoathalamo-pituitary function.

Steroidogenic expression of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy pathway of androgen biosynthesis by human breast carcinoma.

In order to determine whether human mammary tumours could contribute to cholesterol and dehydroepiandrosterone biosynthesis in breast cancer patients, incubations of homogenates of infiltrating ductal carcinoma were carried out separately with 2-14C acetate (patient, n = 6; 21-80 years) and 7n-3H pregnenolone (patient, n = 5, 36-74 years) as substrates. With the aid of the reverse-isotope dilution technique, 14C cholesterol and 3H dehydroepiandrosterone were characterized; these two gave maximum yields of 2.38 X 10(-4)% and 9.42 X 10(-2)% respectively. These results indicate that there exists a potential for the synthesis of cholesterol and dehydroepiandrosterone in vivo. It is suggested that the biosynthetic pathway involved in the synthesis of the latter is; acetyl CoA----cholesterol----pregnenolone----17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone----dehydroepiandrosterone.

Inappropriate luteinizing hormone concentration in human breast cancer.

As part of a programme to assess the para-endocrine behaviour of human infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma among Chinese women, this study was designed to compare (Mann-Whitney U test) the immunoreactive mammary tumour tissue concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) and prolaction (PRL) at stages I (n = 9), II (n = 12) and III (n = 7) with that of normal breast tissue (n = 8). It was found that with the exception of FSH and beta-hCG in stages I and III significantly elevated concentrations of protein hormones were noted at all stages of malignancy. The possible importance of these findings in multi-stage mammary carcinogenesis is discussed. It is suggested that measurement of LH concentration may provide an endocrine basis to facilitate the diagnosis of tumours to serve as a guide to the biological behaviour of mammary neoplasms.