MFE-296 was obtained from a moderately differentiated human endometrial adenocarcinoma. The cells were shown to express functionally intact androgen receptors. Proliferation was inhibted by progestin R5020 and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the latter one being antagonised by the antiandrogen Casodex. MFE-296 express vimentin and the cytokeratins 7, 8, 18 and 19. Karyotype analysis revealed near tetraploidy for most cells. Further more, the cells have been shown to be tumorigenic in nude mice.