title: Relationship of serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to the risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer.
abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are endogenous steroids that are produced in the adrenal cortex. A number of studies have suggested that circulating levels of these hormones are related in some way to the risk of developing breast cancer. We measured serum levels of these steroids in 30 postmenopausal women who donated blood in 1974 for a community-based serum bank and who subsequently, at least 9 years later, developed breast cancer and in 59 matched controls from the same group of volunteers. Significantly elevated serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone were found among cases prior to diagnosis compared to controls; serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were slightly increased among cases. In controls, current cigarette use was associated with increased serum levels of these steroids, and levels of both steroids decreased with age.
authors: Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
authors: G B
authors: GB
authors: Gordon
authors: T L
authors: TL
authors: Bush
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Helzlsouer
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Miller
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Comstock
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001782:Blood Donors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate