EXPLORATION FOR DRUG-THERAPY IN ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

Objective. To explore the therapeutic effect of three drugs, i.e., hyd roxyprogesterone caproate (HPC), Tamoxifen (TMX) and Aminoglutethimide (AG), in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Methods. The patient s were collected by double-blind method and classified into 6 groups ( 3 groups used single drug and 3 groups used combined drugs) at random. The patient was given assigned drug therapy for 10 days according to her group after being admitted to the hospital. Operations were perfor med 7-10 days after drug therapy. Plasma FSH, LH, E(2) and P were meas ured by standard radioimmunoassay of WHO. ER and PR in cancer tissues were examined by enzyme linked histochemistry. Cancer tissues obtained before and after drug therapy were examined pathologically. Results. The values of FSH, LH and E(2) decreased and that of P increased after single drug therapy in the group treated with HPC; and the values of FSH, LH, E(2) and P all decreased in the groups treated with TMX and A G respectively (P<0.05). The values of FSH, LH and E(2) decreased to d ifferent extent in the groups treated with combined drugs. The changes of FSH and E(2) are remarkable (P<0.05). The value of P increased a l ittle with no statistical difference (P>0.05). PR and ER usually incre ased after treatment with TMX, but decreased with HPC or AG, or combin ed drugs. The pathological changes indicate that the tumors responded to all of the three drugs. The response to TMX was most significant, f ollowing which was HPC. Conclusions. HPC and TMX are two drugs proved to be useful in endometrial carcinoma. AG also can be used to treat en dometrial carcinoma. It adds a new drug to the drug therapy for endome trial carcinoma.