Progestins play a key role in reproductive endocrinology and as pharmaceutical drugs for contraception and in combined hormone therapy. To further our understanding of progestin action in the mammary gland, an international symposium, attended by leading researchers from academia and industry, was held in Berlin, 2123 March 2007. Genetic mouse models helped to elucidate the role of progestins, both in normal breast development and in disease. Mechanistic molecular studies inspired the design of new progestins with improved tissue selectivity. In addition, the clinical impact of progesterone receptor agonists and antagonists for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer was discussed.

For a better understanding of progestin action in the mammary gland

Inhalt
Dynamic Regulation of Progesterone Receptor Activity in Female Reproductive Tissues.- Steroid Receptor Coactivator 2: An Essential Coregulator of Progestin-Induced Uterine and Mammary Morphogenesis.- Inhibition of Mammary Tumorigenesis by Estrogen and Progesterone in Genetically Engineered Mice.- Estrogens, Progestins, and Risk of Breast Cancer.- Mammary Development, Carcinomas and Progesterone: Role of Wnt Signalling.- Progesterone Signaling in Mammary Gland Development.- Progesterone Receptor Isoforms in Normal and Malignant Breast.- In Vivo Characterization of Progestins with Reduced Non-genomic Activity In Vitro.- In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a Novel Nonsteroidal, Species-Specific Progesterone Receptor Modulator, PRA-910.