LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ENDOCRINE TREATMENT ON SERUM STEROIDS IN ADVANCED PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (4) , 328-331
Abstract
The long-term effects of endocrine therapy, including polyestradiol phosphate (estradurin) administration, castration and their combination, on the circulating concentrations of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, 17.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone and androsterone were investigated for 1 yr in 22 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma. Only estradurin significantly reduced serum concentrations of testosterone, 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone and 17.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone. Orchiectomy resulted in a more pronounced decrease in the serum concentrations of testosterone and 5.alpha.-dihydrotesterone; estradurin combined with orchiectomy led to no additional decrease. There were no consistent changes in the serum concentrations of other steroids measured. It is likely that estradurin has a direct inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, but a significant residual testicular production of testosterone occurred during the period of estradurin treatment when given alone. No increase in serum concentrations of adrenal androgens or their precursors was observed during any of the 3 treatment regimens.