A dynamic test of hormonal sensitivity of gynecologic malignancy by use of an antiestrogen, tamoxifen.

To assess the hormonal sensitivity of tumors, progestin receptor levels in the tumor were monitored before and after tamoxifen, 40 mg/day for 7 days in patients with various gynecologic malignancies. Tamoxifen induced progestin receptors in two of eight-cases of endometrial cancer, four of eight cases of cervical epidermoid cancer, and two of seven cases of cervical adenocarcinoma. Induction of progestin receptors did not occur in one case of uterine mixed müllerian tumor and there were no measured progestin receptors after tamoxifen treatment in three cases of ovarian cancer and in one case of benign ovarian tumor. Because induction of progestin receptors is the best-documented response of estrogen target cells to estrogenic stimuli, this induction of progestin receptor with tamoxifen may be considered to indicate the estrogen sensitivity of a tumor. Further study is warranted to determine whether hormonal sensitivity assessed by the use of tamoxifen might serve to select tumors likely to respond to hormonal therapy.