Steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical carcinoma: Biochemical activities, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization of steroidogenic enzymes and histopathologic study in nine cases

摘要: Abstract To obtain a better understanding of steroid metabolism associated with adrenocortical malignancy we studied steroidogenesis in nine cases carcinoma (six Cushing's syndrome, two without clinically significant hormonal abnormalities, and one primary aldosteronism) by analyzing biochemical enzyme activities (21-hydroxylase 11β-hydroxylase) immunohistochemistry situ hybridization steroidogenic enzymes tissues. 21-Hydroxylase activity was markedly low but 11β-hydroxylase only moderately decreased compared normal adrenal activity. Immunohistochemical study revealed that six the expressed all required for cortisol or aldosterone biosynthesis. Immunoreactivity these predominantly observed small cells compact and/or clear cytoplasm minimum morphologic nuclear atypia. In those positive immunohistochemical examination serial tissue sections number did not express synthesis biologically active steroids. This may account an increased level precursor secretion malignancy. cytochrome 17α-hydroxylase demonstrated signals generally were immunoreactivity, discrepancy between mRNA protein expression occasionally observed. Although conclusions derived from our current are limited cases, ineffective corticosteroidogenesis, characteristic human carcinoma, considered to be due disorganized individual cells.