PGR and cancer: When compared to the reference chemical, 1,4-dimethyl-4-pententyl acetate had a higher affinity for the progesterone receptor when compared to the reference compound (5-fluorouracil). In hormone-dependent malignancies such as endometrial and breast cancer, progesterone receptors play a critical role by stimulating cell division and preventing apoptosis. The discovery of lead compounds that target progesterone receptors is an emerging area of research in cancer therapy.