The impact of endogenous estradiol metabolites on carcinogenesis

The available literature on estrogen metabolism and estrogen metabolites in volved in carcinogenesis is reviewed. Endogenous estradiol metabolism leads to metabolic products that can have various, and, to some extent, contrary , biologic effects. Thus, there are numerous research findings on the stimu lation and inhibition of cancer growth by estrogen metabolites. Furthermore , there are indications that, in certain types of cancer, the production of growth-stimulating estradiol metabolites is increased. There are also repo rts on substances that can influence estradiol metabolism. So far, only a f ew estradiol metabolites have been examined with respect to their influence on the development and growth of cancer. It is presumed that other metabol ites can also intervene directly or indirectly in the cancer process, but t here is a great lack of research in this area. An understanding of the acti ons of estradiol metabolites may open up new avenues for the therapy of mal ignant diseases. Although little is known about the biologic effects of mos t of the estradiol metabolites, the reported actions of certain estradiol m etabolites already justify clinical investigations on their possible benefi cial uses in tumor therapy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reser ved.