From Palmistry to Anthropometry: Can 2nd to 4th Digit Length (2D:4D) Predict the Risk of Prostate Cancer?

Abstract

Objective: The 2nd to 4th digit length (2D:4D) is inversely related to androgen exposure during the fetal period, which may represent a risk factor for several steroid-related diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and the risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa). Subjects and Methods: We assessed the 2D:4D ratio of 474 men >40 years old, stratified into three groups: group 1 (n = 222) patients with PCa, group 2 (n = 82) subjects with high risk of PCa, and group 3 (n = 170) men with low risk of PCa. Subjects were submitted to a digital picture of the ventral surface of the right hand and 2nd and 4th fingers measurements were determined by the distance from the proximal crease to the tip using computer-assisted analysis. Results: The mean serum prostate-specific antigen level was 7.5 ng/ml in the high-risk group and 0.92 ng/ml in the low-risk group (p < 0.05). The mean 2D:4D ratios were 0.96 ± 0.04, 0.97 ± 0.04 and 0.96 ± 0.04 for the PCa, high-risk and low-risk groups, respectively, and no difference was found among the three groups (p = 0.12). Conclusion: Anthropometry of the hand using the 2D:4D ratio is not a predictor of PCa.

The Association of Digit Ratio (2D : 4D) with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The 2D : 4D ratio has received the most attention in prostate cancer patients with a total of 8 case-control or cross-sectional studies ( n = 4128 patients) and one prospective cohort study ( n = 6458 men from community sample) [ 19 ] ( Table 1 ). The majority of selected studies reported that prostate cancer was associated with lower 2D : 4D ratio [ 18 , 20 – 22 ], while two groups did not find an association of 2D : 4D ratio with prostate cancer [ 23 ] or reported that greater 2D : 4D ratio was associated with prostate cancer [ 24 ].…”

“…On the other hand, a smaller study from Spain in 220 patient referred for transrectal biopsy for suspected prostate cancer reported that 2D : 4D of >0.95 was related to prostate neoplasia [ 24 ]. A study from Brazil in 474 men older than 40 years of age found that 2D : 4D ratios were similar between prostate cancer patients and individuals at high and at low risk for prostate cancer [ 23 ].…”

Asociación entre el cociente del segundo y cuarto dedo y el riesgo de cáncer de próstata: Un estudio de casos y controles en población mediterránea

“…En el estudio de Muller y col. (2011), 1 los autores no encontraron asociación entre el cociente 2D:4D y el CaP, aunque sí observaron una asociación inversa en la subpoblación de pacientes menores de 60 años. De la misma forma, Salomão y col. (2013), 19 no hallaron relación alguna entre el cociente 2D:4D y el CaP en su población de estudio. Por el contrario, García-Cruz y colaboradores (2012) 15 mostraron una asociación positiva estadísticamente significativa entre el cociente 2D:4D y el CaP, pero en ese caso, sólo cuando estudiaron pacientes sometidos a biopsia de próstata.…”

“…Además, se ha visto que dichas repeticiones cortas también se asocian con un mayor riesgo de padecer hiperplasia benigna de próstata 22,23 y CaP. 19,20 En estudios animales se ha establecido la relación existente entre el cociente 2D:4D y la exposición prenatal, tanto a andrógenos como a estrógenos. 24,25 En roedores, la exposición prenatal estrogénica resulta en un aumento de la incidencia y la susceptibilidad de desarrollar alteraciones neoplásicas de la próstata en adultos añosos, lo que proporcionaría una base fetal para el desarrollo del CaP en la vida adulta.…”