16-alpha-ethyl-21-hydroxy-19-nor-4-pregnene-3-20-dione and Uterine-Neoplasms

Progesterone binding components were isolated using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) with a recovery efficiency of between 60-70%. In normal uterine cytosol, the two components were in about equal proportions. In endometrial cancer, the ratio of peak size between peaks 1 and 2 was 1.5 for Grade I, 3.7 for Grade II and 2.5 for Grade III. Whether estimation of the levels of the two progesterone components separately would enhance predictability of response to hormone therapy in endometrial cancer remains to be established.

Topics: Cell Differentiation; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Cytosol; Female; Humans; Pregnenediones; Receptors, Progesterone; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Uterine Neoplasms

The presence of estradiol and progesterone receptors in endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) has not been studied previously. Two cases of ESS are reported in which high concentrations of these receptors were found in the tumor tissue. One of these patients had retained the reactivity to hormone treatment for several years. It is suggested that the steroid receptors should be analyzed in all cases of ESS to find tumors with a high receptor content. Hormone treatment of these patients should be part of the primary adjuvant therapy. In cases of a good response the therapy should be prolonged and continued for the rest of the patient's life.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Kinetics; Medroxyprogesterone; Middle Aged; Pregnenediones; Receptors, Estradiol; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Sarcoma; Uterine Neoplasms

Cytosol estrogen (ERc) and progestin (PRc) receptors were measured in 135 endometrial carcinoma specimens from 127 patients, and in 84 ovarian carcinoma specimens from 84 patients before any treatment. In endometrial carcinoma, early clinical stages (I and II) were more often receptor-rich (ERc and PRc greater than or equal to 30 fmol/mg cytosol protein) than stage III-IV tumors, or metastatic and recurrent lesions. Anaplastic lesions (grade 3) had lower receptor concentrations than moderately (grade 2) and well (grade 1) differentiated stage I lesions. PRc concentrations of the stage I malignancies clearly infiltrating into the myometrium were lower than those in superficial tumors. Our follow-up (24 months or more) data of 41 patients with clinical stage I disease, and of 21 patients with clinical stage III or IV disease show that the receptor-poor tumors tend to behave more aggressively than receptor-rich malignancies in relation to patient survival. In 59 primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas, there were no significant differences in ERc and PRc concentrations in the four clinical stages. In contrast to this, the concentrations of these receptors were significantly lower in recurrent than in primary epithelial carcinomas. In anaplastic serous carcinomas, PRc was significantly lower than in differentiated tumors, and in anaplastic endometrioid carcinomas, ERc and PRc were lower than in corresponding differentiated tumors. Follow-up (24 months or more) data of 22 patients show that patients with advanced ovarian malignancy characterized by low ERc and/or PRc concentrations survive for a shorter time than the other patients.

Topics: Cytosol; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pregnenediones; Progesterone Congeners; Prognosis; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Uterine Neoplasms