HORMONE-DEPENDENT GROWTH OF A RAT CHONDROSARCOMA INVIVO

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (11) , 4387-4395
Abstract
The importance of various hormonal factors in the growth of a transplantable chondrosarcoma was studied in vivo. Tumor growth was reduced by 95% in adrenalectomized or hypophysectomized rats as compared to normal animals. The number of tumors developing in adrenalectomized or hypophysectomized rats was reduced more in male than in female rats. Ovariectomy or orchiectomy did not alter the growth of the tumor. The inhibition of tumor growth in adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized animals was only observed after the first 10 days following inoculation. Cortisone (4-pregnen-17.alpha.,21-diol-3,11,20-trione) administration fully restored tumor growth in adrenalectomized animals while adrenocorticotropic hormone or growth hormone were only partially effective in supporting tumor growth in hypophysectomized animals. High-affinity glucocorticoid receptors (7-10S) were present in the cytosols prepared from the tumor cells and increased in tumors from adrenalectomized animals. The growth of this chondrosarcoma seems to be strongly dependent on endocrine factors of adrenal and pituitary origin.