[Progestin-induced mammary adenocarcinomas in BALB/c mice. Progression from hormone-dependent to autonomous tumors]

We have developed an experimental model in which the administration of progestins induces mammary tumors in female virgin BALB/c mice. In this paper we review the morphological and biological features of progestin-induced tumors, such as estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) patterns of expression, hormone dependence and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) we also examine our data concerning the systemic effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) as regards its stimulating EGF synthesis in salivary glands and its subsequent increase in serum. This growth factor seems to play an important role in the induction of mammary tumors. Direct MPA proliferative effects mediated by PR were demonstrated using primary cultures of progestin-dependent (PD) mammary tumors. Antiprogestins inhibited cell growth beyond control values, suggesting that PR are involved in cell proliferation even in the absence of the ligand. Progesterone-independent (PI) tumors expressing high levels of PR and ER are also inhibited by estrogen or antiprogestin treatment, suggesting that PR are involved in the control of autonomous tumor growth. Estrogen-resistant variants may be selected which may revert to an estrogen-sensitive phenotype after several transplants in untreated mice. The similarities between the tumors obtained with this model and human breast cancer as regards morphological features, evolution and the regulation of growth control converts this model into a useful tool to explore the mechanisms related with acquisition of hormone independence and autonomous tumor growth.