Response to inhibition of androgen action of human ovarian cancer cells in vitro.

The effect of androgens, anti-androgens and epostane on the proliferation of three established human ovarian cancer cell lines was investigated. In one cell line, containing androgen receptors, a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of anti-androgens and epostane was observed. Adaptation of this cell line to flutamide resulted in decreased sensitivity to anti-androgens and epostane. Following adaptation of the cell lines to androgen, androgen receptors were present in all of them and an increased sensitivity to higher concentrations of anti-androgens and epostane was observed. These results suggest that androgens may play a role in the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, and that these cells may respond to blockage of androgen action or synthesis.