Androstenedione metabolism in patients with endometrial cancer

Abstract

The plasma concentration of androstenedione and the instantaneous conversion of androstenedione to estrone was increased in patients with endometrial cancer as compared to postmenopausal control subjects. Moreover, the per cent of estrone derived from androstenedione was increased in the cancer group.

PIP: Androstenedione metabolism was studied at the New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital Center in 14 patients with endometrial cancer. 5 normal postmenopausal patients served as controls. A priming dose of 15 mcCi of 7 tritiated-androstenedione was given followed by 30 mcCi of the same steroid for 130 minutes at a rate of .38 ml/minute. Blood samples were collected at 130, 145, and 160 minutes. There is a significantly higher conversion of androstenedione to estrone (p less than .05) but not to estradiol (p greater than .7) in endometrial cancer patients as compared with the controls. The mean plasma concentration was significantly elevated (p less than .02) in the cancer patients compared with the postmenopausal controls. There was no statistical difference in plasma levels of estrone and estradiol (ps greater than .3 and greater than .4, respectively) in the 2 groups of patients. It "appears that estrone may have a significant effect on the estrogen-responsive organs such as the endometrium."