title: Comparison of digit ratio (2D:4D) between Brazilian men with and without prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Digit ratio (2D:4D) has been suggested as a proxy biomarker for prenatal androgen activity and has been linked to prostate cancer, as the genes that regulate the formation and differentiation of the fingers are also related to the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. To investigate the possible correlation between right hand, left hand and right hand minus left hand (DR-L) 2D:4D and prostate cancer of Brazilian subjects by comparing 2D:4D ratios of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer and individuals without the disease. Also, to inquire the relationship between 2D:4D and severity of prostate cancer through Gleason scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Digital measurements of the lengths of the index and ring fingers of both hands of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCA group, n=100) and healthy control individuals (n=100) were obtained using a digital vernier caliper. Means of the 2D:4D ratios were compared. Data were analyzed by the Student's t-test for unpaired samples, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation with a significance level of 5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PCA group presented significantly lower right and left 2D:4D (P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively) in comparison to healthy controls, but DR-L were not significantly different between groups (P=0.589). In addition, digit ratios were not correlated to Gleason score for either hand or in DR-L.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  2D:4D seems to be a marker for screening patients for prostate cancer in an admixed population, as males with prostate cancer present lower 2D:4D than healthy subjects. On the other hand, 2D:4D does not appear to be associated with the severity of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Health Science Program, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: P H C
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Health Science Program, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: D R B
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.affiliation: Health Science Program, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Melo Costa
authors.affiliation: Health Science Program, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Medicine School, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Health Science Program, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: Health Science Program, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martelli Júnior
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers; D001938:Brazil; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D015415:Biomarkers