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Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) secretion in early and advanced solid neoplasms: selective deficiency in
Abstract:
Several endogenous hormones have been proven to stimulate cancer growth, whereas at present very few hormones are known to display oncostatic activity. The most widely investigated antitumor hormone is the pineal indole melatonin (MLT), and cancer progression has been shown to be associated with a decline in MLT secretion. Recently, another hormone, the adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), has appeared to exert antitumor effects similar to those previously described for MLT. In addition, experimental studies suggest a diminished DHEAS production with neoplastic progression. This preliminary study was performed to evaluate the daily secretion of DHEAS in a group of early and advanced cancer patients. The study included 70 patients with solid tumors (gastrointestinal tract tumors: 28; breast cancer: 24; non-small cell lung cancer: 18), 28 without and 42 with distant metastases. The serum levels of DHEAS were measured by RIA in blood samples collected in the morning. The control group consisted of 100 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. No significant difference in mean serum levels of DHEAS was observed between controls and non-metastatic patients. In contrast, metastatic patients, irrespectively of tumor histotype, showed significantly lower mean levels of DHEAS with respect to either controls or non-metastatic patients. Moreover, metastatic patients with visceral locations showed significantly lower values of DHEAS than those with bone or soft-tissue metastases. This preliminary study would suggest there to be a deficiency in the daily DHEA secretion in patients with disseminated cancer. Further studies evaluating circadian DHEAS secretion in relation in that of the pineal hormone MLT will be required to better define the biological significance of the advanced cancer-related decline in endogenous DHEAS production.
Insights
The adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) shows lower levels in patients with advanced cancer, particularly those with widespread disease. This suggests DHEAS may have a role in inhibiting cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Hormones can influence cancer growth; melatonin (MLT) is known for oncostatic activity.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), an adrenal steroid, also shows potential antitumor effects.
- Reduced DHEAS production is observed with cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess daily dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) secretion in early and advanced cancer patients.
- To compare DHEAS levels in cancer patients with and without distant metastases against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum DHEAS levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- Study included 70 solid tumor patients (GI, breast, lung) and 100 healthy controls.
- Patients were categorized by metastasis presence and location (visceral, bone, soft tissue).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in DHEAS levels between controls and non-metastatic cancer patients.
- Metastatic cancer patients exhibited significantly lower mean DHEAS levels than controls and non-metastatic patients.
- Patients with visceral metastases had lower DHEAS levels than those with bone or soft-tissue metastases.
Conclusions:
- Disseminated cancer is associated with a deficiency in dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) secretion.
- Further research on circadian DHEAS and melatonin (MLT) secretion is needed.
- DHEAS deficiency may be biologically significant in advanced cancer.