Immunohistochemical demonstration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in prostate carcinoma

The antiandrogen and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analogue treatment of prostate carcinoma is based on decreased proliferative and increased apoptotic activity of tumor cells, induced by androgen ablation. Gn-RH analogues decrease the serum level of androgens by breaking the pituitary-gonadal axis, but increasing evidence points to the direct effect of Gn-RH analogues on tumor cells. Immunohistochemical demonstration of Gn-RH receptors recently became possible. Cryostat and paraffin sections of prostate biopsy samples of 10 untreated patients with prostate carcinoma (T2−T3, Gleason score 5−8) were investigated for Gn-RH receptors (Gn-RHR) and androgen receptors, respectively, using the immunoperoxidase method. Membrane bound, focal Gn-RHR positivity was found in 5 samples. Nuclear androgen receptor positivity appeared in 7 samples. No correlation between Gn-RHR and androgen receptor positivity was found, neither receptor status and tumor-nodes-metastasis stage nor Gleason score could be related to each other. Correlation between Gn-RHR positivity and response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue treatment will be investigated further.