LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Meningiomas have a female predilection which is even stronger for spinal than for intracranial meningiomas. The relationship between meningiomas and endogenous or exogenous sex hormones such as cyproterone acetate (CPA) is well-documented, yet their underlying mechanism remains unknown. Clarification of the expression profile of hormonal receptors by meningiomas would help us to better understand their hormonal susceptibility. METHODS We used tissue-microarray and immunohistochemistry to determine the receptor status of the three main sex hormones: androgen (AR), estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) in 30 intracranial meningiomas, 30 spinal meningiomas and 30 meningiomas developed on CPA. RESULTS AR status was positive in 73% of meningiomas of the intracranial group, 87% of meningiomas of the CPA group and in all meningiomas of the spinal group. ER status was positive in only 7% of meningiomas of the intracranial group and in only 3% of meningiomas of the CPA group but in 30% of meningiomas of the spinal group. PR status was positive in 90% of meningiomas of the intracranial group, in 97% of meningiomas of the CPA group and in 87% of meningiomas of the spinal group. These specific hormonal receptor statuses based on immunoreactive score were reflected on staining intensities. Furthermore, AR and PR expression were correlated in each group. CONCLUSION Our study shows that intracranial meningiomas, spinal meningiomas and meningiomas developed on CPA express very specific hormonal receptor patterns. This result invites the scientific community to review the potential role of AR in the unbalanced sex ratio of meningiomas.