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Published on: September 12, 2019
What Role do Androgens Play in Endometrial Cancer?
Petra Maček1, Nikolaus Molinari1, Monika Sobočan1,2
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ul 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
Abstract:
The role of estrogens and progesterone in the development and progression of endometrial cancer is well-established, but there are very little data about the role of androgens. There are five different androgens produced in women: dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The most potent hormones are T and DHT, the latter being mainly produced from T in peripheral tissues, including endometrium. Although they are considered to exert antiproliferative effects in many settings and the expression of their receptors is more often associated with a good prognosis in EC, it is still unknown in which specific settings androgens have carcinogenic or protective effects in EC.
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