Effects of low testosterone levels and of adrenal androgens on growth of prostate tumor models in nude mice.
Two transplantable, androgen dependent prostate tumor models of human origin, PC-82 and PC-EW, were used to study the effect of low androgen levels and adrenal androgens on prostate tumor cell proliferation. Tumor load of the PC-82 and PC-EW tumors could be maintained constant when plasma testosterone levels were 0.8 and 0.9 nmol/l, respectively, corresponding with an intratissue 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone level of 3-4 pmol/g tissue. This critical androgen level for prostate tumor growth stimulation amounted to 2-3 times the castration level and proved to be similar for both tumor models. Relatively high levels of androstenedione resulted in physiological levels of plasma testosterone causing androgen concentrations in PC-82 tumor tissue exceeding the critical level for tumor growth. These results indicate that submaximal suppression of androgens can stop tumor growth in these prostate tumor models.
van Weerden
W M
WM
Department of Urology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van Steenbrugge
G J
GJ
van Kreuningen
A
A
Moerings
E P
EP
De Jong
F H
FH
Schröder
F H
FH
D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone