Effect of estradiol on tumor growth, cell kinetics and p53 oncoprotein expression in human endometrial adenocarcinoma heterotransplanted into nude mice

• To study the importance of estradiol concentrations in which tumors are growing to progression of tumor growth and cell kinetics, we have used a human tumor-nude mice model. In this model a human endometrial adenocarcinoma with estradiol independent but estradiol-responsive growth phenotype (i.e. the tumor was capable of growing in absence of estradiol but its growth could be stimulated by estradiol at the start of preparation phase) was examined. In the preparation phase pieces from this tumor were transplanted into nude mice, randomly divided into two groups, one with and one without estradiol treatment. After 18 months growth in these different hormone conditions the tumors were measured for p53 protein expression and pieces from both these groups were again transplanted into oophorectomized nude mice, each group being randomly allocated to two subgroups, one with and one without estradiol treatment (experimental phase). Tumor growth was measured during the experimental phase, whereas cell kinetic parameters and steroid receptor concentrations were analyzed after the experimental phase. Our findings indicate that progression of the growth phenotype is independent of estradiol conditions in which human endometrial adenocarcinomas are grown. Long-term growth in estradiol-poor conditions results in estradiol resistance of the cell cycle, probably accompanied by overexpression of the p53 protein. Tumor growth in estradiol-rich conditions, however, may protect, at least to some extent, the same tumor, which retains higher sensitivity of cell proliferation to estradiol and normal production of the p53 protein despite progressive changes in growth regulation.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)