The EnDA endometrial adenocarcinoma : an oestrogen-sensitive, metastasizing, in vivo tumour model of the rat

A high percentage of endometrial carcinomas contain oestrogen and progesterone receptors. For endocrine therapy of recurrent endometrial carcinoma, only high-dose progestins are in clinical use. As, therefore, the development of new endocrine treatment strategies is of great interest, suitable animal models for this tumour are essential. Up to now, only human tumour xenografts transplanted in immune-deficient nude mice, but no syngeneic in vivo tumour models, have been available. In the present article we describe the hormone sensitivity of the EnDA endometrial adenocarcinoma of the DA/Han rat growing as s.c. implants in DA/Han rats and athymic nude mice in serial passage. In both species, the tumour expresses oestrogen, but no progesterone receptors. Transplanted in DA/Han rats or nude mice, ovariectomy reduced tumour weight by 64% and 46% respectively. In both species substitution of ovariectomized animals with oestradiol restored tumour weights to intact control levels. Oestradiol substitution of intact animals did not further enhance tumour growth. The growth of the primary tumour was inhibited by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) at a dose of 100 mg/kg by 67% and by tamoxifen at a dose of 20 mg/kg by 38%. Lung metastases were regularly seen in both species, although to a lesser extent in nude mice than in DA/Han rats. Tamoxifen treatment did not alter the number of lung metastases, whereas MPA or ovariectomy produced a significant reduction in the number of lung metastases. The EnDA endometrial carcinoma of the DA/Han rat with respect to its oestrogen sensitivity, oestrogen receptor expression, morphology and metastatic growth, grossly resembles a typical endometrial adenocarcinoma and can therefore be regarded as auseful in vivo experimental model for the evaluation of new endocrine treatment strategies.