Estrogen‐ and androgen‐responsive growth of human ovarian adenocarcinoma heterotransplanted into nude mice

Abstract

A new line of human serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary, designated OVA‐5, has been established in athymic nude mice. A strong correlation was noted between tumor volume and plasma CA 125 levels in mice bearing OVA‐5 tumor. Growth of the OVA‐5 tumor in castrated male nude mice was accelerated by s.c. administration of estradiol‐17β and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone but not by progesterone. Estradiol‐17β and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone also accelerated the growth of the OVA‐5 tumor heterotransplanted into sialoadenectomized castrated male nude mice. No remarkable change was observed in the histological appearances of the tumors between control groups and hormone‐treated groups. Receptor assays revealed that the OVA‐5 tumor had both estrogen and androgen receptors. Growth of the OVA‐5 tumor is thus responsive to estrogen and androgen.