Background: Predilection of juvenile angiofibromas in adolescent boys has prompted the hypothesis of hormone-dependent tumor growth. However, knowledge on expression and function of sex hormone receptors in juvenile angiofibromas is still sparse and inconsistent.
Methods: Transcript and protein expression of sex hormone receptors in juvenile angiofibromas was studied by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistology/fluorescence. A bromodeoxyuridine assay was used to assess the antiproliferative effects of flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist) and tamoxifen (estrogen receptor modulator).
Results: Significantly increased transcript levels were observed for androgen receptor, estrogen receptor α, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, and luteinizing hormone receptor in juvenile angiofibromas versus the stroma of nasal mucosa. Estrogen receptor β and progesterone receptor mRNA levels were low and similar for both tissues. Estrogen receptor α protein was detected in juvenile angiofibroma tumors and mesenchymal cell lines. Flutamide and tamoxifen inhibited proliferation of cultured juvenile angiofibroma mesenchymal cells.
Conclusion: These findings contribute to the understanding of juvenile angiofibroma pathophysiology and offer novel therapeutic options.
Keywords: androgen receptor; estrogen receptor; follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; juvenile angiofibroma; luteinizing hormone receptor.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.