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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
07:25
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Testosterone therapy in men with untreated prostate cancer
Abraham Morgentaler1, Larry I Lipshultz, Richard Bennett
1Men's Health Boston, Division of Urology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. amorgent@caregroup.harvard.edu
The Journal of Urology
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Testosterone therapy did not accelerate prostate cancer in men with untreated cancer. This suggests current contraindications for testosterone therapy in men with prostate cancer may need reevaluation.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Historically, prostate cancer has been a contraindication for testosterone therapy.
- This was based on the belief that elevated testosterone levels promote prostate cancer growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of testosterone therapy in men with untreated prostate cancer.
- To challenge the existing paradigm regarding testosterone and prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Study included 13 men with untreated prostate cancer on active surveillance.
- Participants received testosterone therapy for a median of 2.5 years.
- Monitored prostate biopsies, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and prostate volume.
Main Results:
- Testosterone levels significantly increased (238 to 664 ng/dl).
- No significant changes in PSA levels or prostate volume were observed.
- No local progression or distant disease was noted; 54% of follow-up biopsies showed no cancer.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone therapy was not associated with prostate cancer progression in the short to medium term.
- Findings support the androgen saturation model, suggesting maximal cancer growth occurs at low androgen levels.
- Reevaluation of contraindications for testosterone therapy in men with untreated or low-risk prostate cancer is warranted.
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