Direct estradiol and diethylstilbestrol actions on early- vs. late-stage prostate cancer cells

摘要

BACKGROUND:Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and other pharmaceutical estrogens have been used at ≥μM concentrations to treat advanced prostate tumors, with successes primarily attributed to indirect hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis control mechanisms. However, estrogens also directly affect tumor cells, though the mechanisms involved are not well understood.