[Metabolism of androgens in various histological variants of bone tumors]

The role of androgens in human normal and neoplastic bone tissues is still unclear. The paper presents data on metabolism of androgens in homogenates of malignant (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing and giant cell) and benign primary tumors from 46 male and female patients aged 14-58 years. Using two substrates (testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone) for the first time are shown activities of main enzymes of androgen metabolism in all tumor types. 5 alpha-reductase activity was similar in all tumors, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was the highest while that of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was the lowest. Unknown metabolite(s) of 5 alpha-dehydrotestosterone was discovered which may be hydroxy-metabolites of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol. A principal scheme of androgen metabolism in human neoplastic tissue is proposed.