Action and counter-action of hormones in human ovarian cancer.
Epidemiologic data suggest that hormones play a role in ovarian cancer. Most ovarian cancers contain receptors for steroid hormones. Estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors are detected in about 50% and androgen receptors (AR) in 90% of the cases. The presence of PR in ovarian cancers is correlated with better survival. There are no definitive correlations between the presence of steroid receptors and blood hormone levels, stage of disease and tumor histology. We have demonstrated that the putative response to LHRH-agonist treatment in ovarian cancer is not due to a direct cytotoxic action of LHRH-agonists and that the proliferation of AR positive ovarian cancer cells in vitro can be inhibited by anti-androgens, while such an inhibition is not observed in AR negative cells. Investigations on the response to hormonal and anti-hormonal agents may further delineate the functionality of steroid receptors and provide a rationale for the use of endocrine treatment in ovarian cancer.
Roa
B R
BR
Department of Endocrinology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Slotman
B J
BJ
D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone