title: The discriminant-function test: a marker of Th1/Th2 cell cytokine secretion and breast tumour oestrogen synthesis.
abstract: Thirty years ago, the discriminant-function test (the ratio of urinary androgen : glucocorticoids) was developed as a marker for women who subsequently developed breast cancer. At that time, it was not clear why this test had a predictive value, but recent research has suggested that androgens and glucocorticoids may have a crucial role in regulating cytokine production by Th1/Th2 cells. Decreased production of the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate is associated with the production of Th2-type cytokines, some of which have been shown to stimulate markedly the activities of the enzymes that are involved in oestrogen synthesis in breast-cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Metabolic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK. m.reed@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004967:Estrogens