Androgens and prostate cancer risk.
Androgens have been implicated in prostate tumourigenesis. However, no association between circulating levels of androgens and prostate cancer risk was found in a recent large pooled analysis of prospective studies. A decreased risk of prostate cancer among men treated with finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor which reduces levels of dihydrotestosterone, was observed in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), a large clinical trial. In the PCPT, a higher number of high-grade tumours was found in the finasteride group than in the control group; the reason for this finding is still unclear. Treatment of symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism - such as decreased muscle and bone mass and decreased cognition and libido - has become more prevalent with the advent of new forms of administration of testosterone replacement therapy. One small placebo-controlled study showed no increase in incidence of prostate cancer after 6 months of testosterone therapy, but data on the safety of testosterone replacement therapy remain limited.
Wirén
Sara
S
Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology and Andrology, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden.
Stattin
Pär
P
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000728:Androgens; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride