Effects of 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and tamoxifen on in vitro proliferation of human pituitary adenomas: correlation with specific cellular receptors

Tumour Biol. 1993;14(1):59-68. doi: 10.1159/000217826.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Estradiol / therapeutic use*
  • Growth Hormone / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Progesterone / pharmacology
  • Progesterone / therapeutic use*
  • Prolactin / biosynthesis
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Prolactinoma / drug therapy
  • Prolactinoma / metabolism
  • Prolactinoma / pathology
  • Receptors, Estrogen / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Progesterone / biosynthesis
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Tamoxifen
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • Prolactin
  • Growth Hormone