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A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Prostate cancer risk in testosterone-treated men
1Université Pierre & Marie Curie, 51 bvd Suchet, Paris 75016, France. jean-pierre@raynaud.ws
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|November 23, 2006
Summary
Men with low testosterone may have reduced prostate cancer risk, while higher levels within the normal range might decrease aggressive prostate cancer risk. Testosterone therapy requires careful prostate cancer surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Urology
- Oncology
Background:
- Androgen deficiency is linked to reduced prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
- Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is increasingly used in aging men, raising concerns about its impact on prostate cancer risk.
- Previous hypotheses suggested high androgens increase prostate cancer risk, but evidence is conflicting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between androgen levels and prostate cancer risk.
- To assess the safety of testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men regarding prostate cancer.
- To inform surveillance recommendations for men undergoing androgen replacement therapy (ART).
Main Methods:
- Review of prospective studies on circulating testosterone levels and prostate cancer risk.
- Analysis of prostate cancer incidence in hypogonadal men undergoing testosterone therapy.
- Examination of data from a large prospective cohort study (10,049 men).
Main Results:
- Data do not support the hypothesis that high circulating androgens increase prostate cancer risk.
- High-grade prostate cancer is associated with low plasma testosterone levels.
- In hypogonadal men, occult prostate cancer incidence was 14% before therapy, and no cancer was diagnosed during TRT patch development in over 200 patients.
Conclusions:
- The "androgen hypothesis" linking higher androgens to increased prostate cancer risk is rejected.
- High levels of androgens within the reference range may decrease aggressive prostate cancer risk.
- Men on ART require age-appropriate prostate cancer surveillance, including rectal examination and PSA testing.
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