Abstract
Anti-estrogen therapies for treating ovarian carcinoma have had mixed outcomes suggesting some tumors may be estrogen-dependent. We assayed the activity levels of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD/3-KSR) and estrone sulfatase in a series of ovarian epithelial carcinomas. 17β-HSD activity ratios with estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T), and inhibition by isoform-specific inhibitors were used to estimate the contributions of 17β-HSD isoforms. Activity levels were highest for estrone sulfatase, followed, respectively by 17β-HSD, 3α-HSD/3-KSR, and 3β-HSD. E2/T activity ratios varied widely between samples. A 17β-HSD type 1 inhibition pattern was observed in 23% of the samples and a type 2 pattern in 25%. E2 formation from estrone sulfate (E1S) was detected in 98% (47/48) of the samples. 17β-HSD type 1, type 2 and type 5 mRNA was detected in matched primary tumor and metastases. Evaluation of 17β-HSD and sulfatase activity levels, activity ratios and inhibition patterns may help predict tumor response to endocrine therapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 51-58 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology |
Volume | 301 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 25 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project was supported by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation. The authors are grateful to Linda Sackett-Lundeen, B.S.M.T. and Doris Sackett for their help with the figures.
Keywords
- 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- 3α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- Estrone sulfatase
- Ovarian cancer
- Steroid metabolism