Sex Steroids as a Cause of Adenocarcinoma of the Dorsal Prostate in Nb Rats, and their Influence on the Growth of Transplants

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Abstract
The development of adenocarcinoma of the dorsal prostate of Nb rats following prolonged treatment with pellets of testosterone propionate alone or esterone allowed the establishment of transplantable tumor models. Whereas most transplants were autonomous and not influenced by hormones, 1 estrogen dependent tumor was studied in detail. This tumor would only grow in estrogenized hosts, cells remaining dormant in normal animals. Removal of estrogen from animals with growing tumors led to tumor regression but with progression and eventual regrowth of tumors which were autonomous. Replacement with lower doses of estrogen reduced the extent of regression and prevented autonomous change. When a regressed estrogen dependent tumor was exposed to prolonged treatment with testosterone propionate pellets, the eventual regrowth was androgen dependent and would not grow in estrogenized animals. Progression could apparently be directed by this procedure from estrogen to androgen dependency.