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The presence of progesterone receptors in breast cancer cells and in endometrial cancer cells has led to the use of progestative drugs for advanced or metastatic cancer.

In metastatic corpus uteri cancer (more than 80% of patients are cured with local treatment), progestative drugs give a response rate of around 30% for patients with a progesterone receptor and less than 10% for others. This treatment is generally very well tolerated, hence its prescription in all palliative situations before chemotherapy, which is not very efficient.

In breast carcinoma, the progestative molecules (such as megestrol acetate) are prescribed as second-line hormonotherapy: their efficiency is proportional to the efficiency of first–line hormonotherapy (generally tamoxifen).

Progesterone also has a positive effect on appetite and general status (as for cortisone and androgens) but it can induce hydric retention.

Progesterone dosage for this indication is rather high. The following drugs are available:

• medroxyprogesterone,
• megestrol.