Effects of 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and tamoxifen on in vitro proliferation of human pituitary adenomas: correlation with specific cellular receptors.
Six human pituitary adenoma cultures, characterized for estrogen and progesterone (Pg) receptors, were treated with 17 beta-estradiol (17 beta-E2), Pg and tamoxifen (TAM) at different concentrations, alone and in combination, for 2, 4 and 8 days. Cell proliferation data showed in most cases a stimulating effect of 17 beta-E2 and an inhibitory effect of Pg on cell growth, which appeared to be correlated with specific receptor expression, but independent of pituitary cell hormone content. A marked inhibitory effect of TAM on cell proliferation was present in all cases, but, on the contrary, was independent of estrogen receptor expression.
Department of Neurological Sciences, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
B
B
Caronti
G
G
Palladini
M G
MG
Bevilacqua
E
E
Petrangeli
B
B
Fraioli
G
G
Cantore
G
G
Tamburrano
C M
CM
Carapella
M L
ML
Jaffrain-Rea
D000236:Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D013629:Tamoxifen; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone