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The Interactions between Insulin and Androgens in Progression to Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Authors :
Gunter JH
Lubik AA
McKenzie I
Pollak M
Nelson CC
Source :
Advances in urology [Adv Urol] 2012; Vol. 2012, pp. 248607. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Apr 03.
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

An association between the metabolic syndrome and reduced testosterone levels has been identified, and a specific inverse relationship between insulin and testosterone levels suggests that an important metabolic crosstalk exists between these two hormonal axes; however, the mechanisms by which insulin and androgens may be reciprocally regulated are not well described. Androgen-dependant gene pathways regulate the growth and maintenance of both normal and malignant prostate tissue, and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients exploits this dependence when used to treat recurrent and metastatic prostate cancer resulting in tumour regression. A major systemic side effect of ADT includes induction of key features of the metabolic syndrome and the consistent feature of hyperinsulinaemia. Recent studies have specifically identified a correlation between elevated insulin and high-grade PCa and more rapid progression to castrate resistant disease. This paper examines the relationship between insulin and androgens in the context of prostate cancer progression. Prostate cancer patients present a promising cohort for the exploration of insulin stabilising agents as adjunct treatments for hormone deprivation or enhancers of chemosensitivity for treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1687-6377
Volume :
2012
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Advances in urology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
22548055
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/248607