Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist inhibits estrone sulfatase expression of cystic endometriosis in the ovary

Objective: To clarify the inhibitory effect of GnRH agonist on estrone (E-1) sulfatase expression. Design: Retrospective immunohistochemical study. Setting: The Jikei University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Patient(s): Thirty-three women who had undergone cystectomy of the ovary or oophorectomy and were proved histopathologically to have cystic endometriosis in the ovary. Intervention(s): Fifteen of the 33 patients were treated with GnRH agonists monthly for 2-6 months before surgery. The other 18 patients did not receive any hormonal therapy. Tissue sections were immunostained with an anti-E-1 sulfatase monoclonal antibody (KM1049) originating from human placenta. Main Outcome Measure(s): Microscopic evaluation to assess the presence and localization of E-1 sulfatase and to describe any variations in its expression with or without treatment with GnRH agonist. Result(s): Immunostaining showed that E-1 sulfatase was localized only on the glandular epithelial cells of cystic endometriosis in the ovary. The immunostaining with anti-E-1 sulfatase proved that GnRH agonist inhibited E-1 sulfatase expression in the cystic endometriosis in the ovary. Conclusion(s): Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist inhibits E-1 sulfatase expression in cystic endometriosis in the ovary.