The papers in this volume were presented at the Symposium on Hormones and Cancer held March 24-26, 1980, at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury, MA. The meeting was organized to review recent advances in basic and clinical research work on hormone-responsive tumors of the reproductive system. The association between protracted hormone action and cancer of the reproductive system is now irrefutable. Yet we still do not know how hormones initiate and promote neoplastic transformation of their target cells. A major effort is cur­ rently being directed at understanding the hormonal regulation of neoplastic cells, especially those arising from the breast, uterus, pituitary gland and prostate. The symposium brought together leading experts whose research is focused on this impor­ tant area of human health. Although many questions remain to be answered by future studies, the material covered in this volume provides an up-to-date overview of the current status of work in this area. The subjects range from the mechanism of hormone action to the treatment of hormone-dependent tumors, and topics include estrogen, progestin, androgen and glucocorticoid action~ hormone receptors~ specific protein responses~ developmental effects of estrogens and antiestrogens~ the DES syndrome~ regu­ lation of the cell cycle~ therapeutic effects of antiestrogens, aromatase inhibitors, iodoestrogens, progestins on estrogen­ dependent tumors~ characterization of retinoid-binding sites~ and the utility of various tumor markers.

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The Polynucleotide Binding Sites of Estradiol Receptor Complexes.- Estrogen Receptor and the Development of Estrogenic Responses in Embryonic Chick Liver.- Biochemical and Estrogenic Activity of Some Diethylstilbestrol Metabolites and Analogs in the Mouse Uterus.- Etiology of DES-Induced Uterine Tumors in the Syrian Hamster.- Neonatal Stimulation of the Uterus by Clomiphene, Tamoxifen and Nafoxidine: Relationship to the Development of Reproductive Tract Abnormalities.- Effect of Estradiol and Progesterone on the Secretory Immune System in the Female Genital Tract.- The Search for Progesterone-Dependent Proteins Secreted by Human Endometrium.- Estrogen Regulation of Growth and Specific Protein Synthesis in Human Breast Cancer Cells in Tissue Culture.- Regulation of Pituitary Growth and Prolactin Gene Expression by Estrogen.- Comparative Antiestrogen Action in Experimental Breast Cancer.- Inhibition of Estrogen Biosynthesis and Regression of Mammary Tumors by Aromatase Inhibitors.- Biologic Activity of the Iodoestrogens and Their Use in Breast Cancer.- Prolactin and Prolactin Receptor Interactions in Normal and Neoplastic Tissue.- Retinoid Binding in Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Tissue.- Feedback Effects of Mammary Gland Tumors on the Host Pituitary Prolactin Cell.- Mammalian Cell Proliferation is Regulated by the Synergistic Actions of Multiple Growth Factors.- Defective Steroid Receptors in a Glucocorticoid Resistant Clone of a Human Leukemic Cell Line.- Deacylcortivazol, a Potent Glucocorticoid with Unusual Structure and Unusual Anti-Leukemic Cell Activity.- New Observation on Androgen Action: Androgen Receptor Stabilization and Antisteroid Effects of LHRH Agonists.- AXC Rat Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: Characterization of Cells in Culture.- Potential Biochemical Markers in the Diagnosis and Management of Human Prostate Carcinoma.- Evaluation of In Vivo and In Vitro Responses of Endometrial Adenocarcinoma to Progestins.- Estrogen Receptor, a Marker for Human Breast Cancer Differentiation and Patient Prognosis.- Clinical Usefulness of Markers in Monitoring Patients with Cancer.- Chorionic Gonadotropin Synthesis and Gene Assignment in Human: Mouse Hybrid Cells.