Gonadotropins, estradiol, and growth factors regulate epithelial ovarian cancer cell growth.

Indirect evidence suggests that gonadal steroids and gonadotropins may have a role in the genesis of epithelial ovarian cancer. In the studies reported herein, we established 17 beta-estradiol (E2) secreting cell cultures from an omental metastasis of an epithelial ovarian cancer. We demonstrate that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human follicle-stimulating hormone, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas E2 inhibited cell growth in the nanomolar range. Epidermal growth factor was able to partially block the negative effect of E2; a similar but quantitatively lesser effect was observed with hCG. These results provide direct evidence to support the view that gonadotropins, EGF, TGF beta (transforming growth factor), and estradiol may modulate growth of metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer cells.