Myometrial Responses to Beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonists in Gynecological Malignancies.

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the influence of beta-adrenoceptor (ADRB) antagonists on contractile activity of the nonpregnant human uterus in patients affected by gynecological malignancies. Design This was a controlled and prospective ex vivo study. Setting The work was conducted as a collaboration between 4 academic departments. Materials and methods Myometrial specimens were obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological disorders (reference group; N = 15), and ovarian (N = 15), endometrial (N = 15), synchronous ovarian-endometrial (N = 3), and cervical cancer (N = 10). Contractions of myometrial strips in an organ bath before and after applications of ADRB antagonists (propranolol, bupranolol, SR 59230A, and butoxamine) were studied under isometric conditions. Results Propranolol and bupranolol attenuated contractions in the endometrial and cervical cancer groups similar to that in the reference group (all p Limitations These results require now to be placed into a firm clinical context. Conclusions Our study indicates that ovarian cancer considerably alters contractile activity of the nonpregnant human uterus in response to ADRB antagonists. This suggests a pathogenetic role of beta-adrenergic pathways in this malignancy. Furthermore, propranolol and bupranolol substantially influence spontaneous uterine contractility.