Sex steroids in serum and prostatic tissue of human cancerous prostate (STERKPROSER trial)

Abstract

Background Currently, there is no consensus regarding the expected concentration levels of intra‐prostatic sex steroids in patients with Prostate Cancer (PCa). Our objective was to assess the concentration levels of sex steroids in prostatic tissue and serum, in two cohorts of patients with localized PCa or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods Between September 2014 and January 2017, men selected for radical cystectomy (for bladder cancer) or open prostatectomy (for BPH), and men selected for radical prostatectomy for localized PCa were included. Blood samples were collected at baseline before surgery, and steroid concentrations were assessed following the recommendations of the Endocrine Society. Intra‐prostatic samples were collected from fresh surgical samples, and assessed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Permanova analysis was performed. Analyses were adjusted for age, prostate weight, and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level. Results A total of 73 patients (41 patients with PCa and 32 patients with BPH) were included in this study. Patients with PCa were younger, and had smaller prostate volumes with higher levels of PSA. The levels of Total Testosterone (TT), Di‐Hydro‐Testosterone (DHT), and Estradiol (E2) in the serum were not significantly different between PCa and BPH. In PCa tissue, TT concentrations were significantly lower (0.11 ng/g vs 0.47 ng/g, P = 0.0002), however its derivative E2 had significantly higher concentrations (31.0 ng/g vs 22.3 ng/g, P = 0.01). DHT tissue concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups (5.55 ng/g vs 5.42 ng/g, P = 0.70). Intra‐prostatic TT concentrations were significantly lower in the peripheral zone than in the central zone for the CaP group (0.07 ng/g vs 0.15 ng/g, P = 0.004). Conclusions Patients with PCa had lower intra‐prostatic TT and higher E2 concentrations levels compared to the patients with BPH. PCa seem to consume more TT and produce more E2, especially in the peripheral zone.

The Polyphenols as Potential Agents in Prevention and Therapy of Prostate Diseases

“…Pejčić et al proved that T and DHT accumulate in the prostatic stroma in BPH and that there is a linear correlation between T and DHT concentration in the tissue and prostate size [31]. Estrogen accumulation has also been demonstrated in prostatic tissue [32,33].…”

Rapid Quantification of Endogenous Steroids in Human Serum Using Leidenfrost Effect-Assisted Thermal Desorption Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

“…Only a small fraction of the total concentration of the sex steroids exists in free form, enters target cells, and exhibits biological activities. , Therefore, the quantitative estimations of trace free sex steroids in serum could provide a more accurate assessment of their biological activity than measurements of their total concentrations. The steroid level has been used for maternal health diagnosis and newborn screening, − the evaluation of metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, , and cancer diagnosis for prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, etc. − …”