Estrogens and glucocorticoids in mammary adipose tissue: Relationships with body mass index and breast cancer features

Abstract

Context: Adipose tissue is an important site for extragonadal steroid hormone biosynthesis through the expression and activity of P450 aromatase, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) 1, and 17β-HSDs. The contribution of steroid hormones produced by adjacent adipose tissue for the progression and survival of breast tumors is unknown. Objective: To quantify estrogens (estradiol, estrone) and glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone) in breast adipose tissue from both healthy and diseased women and their relationships with adiposity indices and breast cancer prognostic markers. Design and setting: Breast adipose tissue was collected at time of surgery. Patients: Pre- and postmenopausal women undergoing partial mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer (n = 17) or reduction mammoplasty (n = 6) were studied. Interventions: Relative estrogen and glucocorticoid amounts were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The targeted steroids were reliably detected and quantified in mammary adipose tissues. Women with ER+/PR+ tumor had higher relative estradiol amount than women with ER-/PR- tumor (P