Skip to main content

The Endocrinological Basis for Hormonal Therapy

  • Conference paper
The Medical Management of Prostate Cancer

Part of the book series: ESO Monographs ((ESO MONOGRAPHS))

Abstract

The basis of all endocrine investigations related to the prostate is provided by the observation that the growth and the activity of the normal gland is largely dependent upon androgens, a characteristic which is frequently retained by the prostatic cells undergoing development into neoplastic cells (70% of all cases of prostatic tumors). This concept is supported by the fact that castrated patients very seldom develop tumors of the prostate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Huggiris C and Hodges CV: Studies on prostatic cancer. The effect of castration, of estrogen and of androgen injection on serum phosphatases in metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Cancer Res 1941 (1):293–297

    Google Scholar 

  2. Huggins C, Stevens RE Jr and Hodges CV: Studies on prostatic cancer. II. The effects of castration on advanced carcinoma of the prostate gland. Arch Surg 1941 (43):209–223

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Vermeulen A: The androgens. In: Grey CH and James VHT (eds) Hormones in Blood. Academic Press, London 1979 (3):355–416

    Google Scholar 

  4. Piva F, Motta M and Martini L: Regulation of hypothalamic and pituitary function: long, short, and ultrashort feedback loops. In: De Groot LJ (ed) Endocrinology. Grume and Stratton, New York 1979 (1):21–33

    Google Scholar 

  5. Harper ME, Pike A, Peeling WB and Griffiths K: Steroids of adrenal origin metabolised by human prostatic tissue in vivo and in vitro. J Endocr 1974 (60):117–125

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Labrie F, Dupont A and Belanger A: Complete androgen blockade for the treatment of prostate cancer. In: De Vita VT, Hellman S and Rosenberg SA (eds). Important Advances in Oncology. Lippincott, Philadelphia 1985 pp 193–217

    Google Scholar 

  7. Labrie F, Dupont A, Belanger A and St Arnaud R: Treatment of prostate cancer with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. Endocr Rev 1986 (7): 67–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Tullner WW: Hormonal factors in the adrenal-dependent growth of the rat ventral prostate. NCI Monograph 1963 (12): 211–223

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Oesterling JE, Epstein JI and Walsh PC: The viability of adrenal androgens to stimulate the adult human prostate: an autopsy, evaluation of men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and panhypopituitarism. J Urol 1986 (136):1030–1034

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Krieg M, Bartsh W, Janssen W and Voigt KD: A comparative study of binding metabolism and endogenous levels of androgens in normal hyperplastic and carcinomatous human prostate. J Steroid Biochem 1979 (11):615–624

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bruchovsky N and Wilson JD: The conversion of testosterone to 5-alpha-androstan-17beta-ol-3-one by rat prostate in vivo and in vitro. J Biol Chem 1968 (243):2012–2021

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Motta M, Zoppi S, Brodie AM and Martini L: Effect of 1,4,6-androstantriene-3,17-dione (ATD),4-hydroxy-4- androstene-3,17-dione (4-OH-A) and 4-acetoxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (4-Ac-A) on the 5-alpha-reduction of androgens in the rat prostate. J Steroid Biochem 1986 (25):593–599

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Brooks JR, Baptista EM, Berman C, Ham EA, Hichens M, Johnston DBR, Primka RL, Rasmusson GH, Reynolds GF, Schmitt SM and Arth GE: Response of rat ventral prostate to a new and novel 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. Endocrinology 1981 (109):830–836

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Blohm TR, Laughlin ME and Benson HD: Pharmacological induction of 5-alpha-reductase deficiency in the rat: separation of testosterone-mediated and 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone-mediated effects. Endocrinology 1986 (119):959–966

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Fang S and Liao S: Androgen receptors. Steroid-and-tissue specific retention of 17-beta-hydroxy-5alpha- androstan-3-one-protein complex by the cell nuclei of ventral prostate. J Biol Chem 1971 (246):16–24

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Barrack ER and Coffey DS: The specific binding of estrogens and androgens to the nuclear matrix of sex hormone responsive tissues. J Biol Chem 1980 (255):7265–7275

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Isaacs JT, Brendler CB and Walsh PC: Changes in the metabolism of dihydrotestosterone in the hyperplastic human prostate. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1983 (56):139–146

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Geller J: Benign prostatic hypertrophy: current understanding of its pathogenesis. In: Labrie F and Proulx L (eds) Endocrinology. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam 1984 pp 909–912

    Google Scholar 

  19. Smith CB, Masters JRW and Ghamadian R: Differential androgen metabolism in prostatic tumors. J Endocr 1980 (85):5–6

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kirdani RY, Emrich LJ, Pontes EJ, Priore RL and Murphy GP: A comparison of estrogen and androgen receptor levels in human prostatic tissue from patients with non-metastatic and metastatic carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Steroid Biochem 1985 (22):569–575

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Thompson SA, Rowley DR and Heidger PM: Effects of estrogen upon the fine structure of epithelium and stroma in the rat ventral prostate gland. Invest Urol 1979 (17):83–89

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Mawhinney MG and Neubauer BL: Actions of estrogen in the male. Invest Urol 1979 (16):409–420

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Krieg M, Bartsch W, Thomsen M and Voigt KD: Androgens and estrogens: their interaction with stroma and epithelium of human benign hyperplasia and normal prostate. J Steroid Biochem 1983 (19):155–161

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ghanadian R and Puah CM: Relationship between oestradiol-17-beta, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and 5- alpha-androstane-3-alpha, 17-beta-diol in human benign hypertrophy and carcinoma of the prostate. J Endocr 1981 (88):255–262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Stone NN, Fair WR and Fishman J: Estrogen formation in human prostatic tissue from patients with and without benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate 1986 (9):311–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Thorner MO: Prolactin: clinical physiology and the significance and management of hyperprolactinemia. In: Martini L and Besser GM (eds) Clinical Neuroendocrinology. Academic Press, New York 1977(1):319–361

    Google Scholar 

  27. Jacobi GH and Wenderoth UK: New forms and future perspectives in endocrine treatment of prostatic carcinoma. Progress and Controversies in Oncological Urology. Springer Verlag, Berlin 1980

    Google Scholar 

  28. Aragona C, Bohnet HG and Friesen HG: Localization of prolactin binding in prostate and testis: the role of serum prolactin concentration on the testicular LH receptor. Acta Endocrin 1977 (84):402–408

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Jacobi GH: Palliativtherapie des Prostatakarzinoms. Endokrinologische Grundlagen, Klinische Situation, Prolaktinin neues Prinzip. Zuckschwerdt, München 1980

    Google Scholar 

  30. Smith C, Assimos D, Lee C and Grayhack JT: Metabolie action of prolactin on the prostate: independent of androgen action. Prostate 1985 (6):49

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Boyns AR, Griffiths K, Pierrepoint CG and Peeling WB: Prolactin and the prostate. In: Goland M (ed) Normal and Abnormal Growth of the Prostate. Charles C Thomas, Springfield 1975 pp 431–444

    Google Scholar 

  32. Manandhar SF and Thomas JA: Effect of prolactin on the metabolism of androgen by the rat ventral prostate gland in vitro. Invest Urol 1976 (14):20–22

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Farnsworth WE, Slannwhile WR, Jr and Sharma M: Interaction of prolactin and testosterone in the human prostate. Urol Res 1977 (15):83–91

    Google Scholar 

  34. Berelowitz M, Szabo M, Frohman LA, Firestone S and Chu L: Somatomedin-C mediates growth hormone negative feedback by effects on both the hypothalamus and the pituitary. Science 1981 (212):1279–1281

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Lostroh AJ and Li CH: Stimulation of sex accessories of hypophysectomised male rat by non-gonadotrophin hormone of the pituitary gland. Acta Endocrin 1975 (25):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  36. British Prostate Study Group: Evaluation of plasma hormone concentrations in relation to clinical staging in patients with prostatic cancer. Brit J Urol 1979 (51):382–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Sibley PEC, Harper ME, Peeling WB and Griffiths K: Growth hormonal and prostatic tumors: localization using a monoclonal human growth hormone antibody. J Endocr 1984 (103):311–315

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. James R and Bradshaw RA: Polypeptide growth factors. Ann Rev Biochem 1984 (53):259–292

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Maehama S, Li D, Nauri H, Leykam JF and Denel TF: Purification and partial characterization of prostate-derived growth factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1986 (83):8162–8166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Crabb JW, Armes LG, Carr SA, Johnson CM, Roberts GD, Bordol RS and Mekeehan WL: Complete primary structure of prostatropin, a prostate epithelial cell growth factor. Biochemistry 1986 (25):4988–4993

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kirdani RY, Muntzing J, Varkarakis JM, Murphy GP and Sandberg AA: Studies on the antiprostatic action of estracyt, a nitrogen mustard of estradiol. Cancer Res 1974 (34):1031–1037

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Hoisaeter PA: Incorporation of 3H-thymidine into rat ventral prostate in organ culture. Invest Urol 1975 (12):479–483

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Daehlin L: On the effects of oestrogen in the male. Some effects of different oestrogenic substances in rats and men with prostatic carcinoma. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1985 (91, Suppl):21–35

    Google Scholar 

  44. Tan SY, Antonipillai I and Murphy BEP: Inhibition of testosterone metabolism in the human prostate. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1984 (39):936–941

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Massa R and Martini L: Interference with the 5-alpha-reductase system. Gynec Invest 1972 (2):253–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Jagarinec N and Givner ML: Inhibition of testosterone metabolism of medrogestone in rat ventral prostate in vivo and in vitro. Archs Androl 1981 (7):39–44

    Google Scholar 

  47. Martini L and Motta M (eds): Androgens and Antiandrogens. Raven Press, New York 1977

    Google Scholar 

  48. Neumann F: Pharmacology and clinical uses of cyproterone acetate. In: Furr BJA and Wakeling AE (eds) Pharmacology and Clinical Uses of Inhibitors of Hormone Secretion and Action. Bailliere Tindall, London 1987 pp132–159

    Google Scholar 

  49. Neri R and Kassen N: Pharmacology and clinical uses of flutamide. In: Furr BJA and Wakeling AE (eds) Pharmacology and Clinical Uses of Inhibitors of Hormone Secretion and Action. Bailliere Tindal, London 1987 pp 160–169

    Google Scholar 

  50. Raynaud JP, Bonne C, Moguilewsky M, Levebvre FA, Belanger A and Labrie F: The pure antiandrogen RH 23908 (anandron), a candidate of choice for the combined antihormonal treatment of prostatic cancer: a review. Prostate 1984 (5):299–324

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Neumann F, Habenicht UF and Schacher A: Antiandrogens and target cell response. Different in vivo effects of cyproterone acetate, flutamide and cyproterone. In: McKerns KW, Aakvaag A and Hansson V (eds) Regulation of Target Cell Responsiveness. Plenum Press, New York 1984 (2):489–527

    Google Scholar 

  52. Zoppi S, Cocconi M, Natali A, Costantini A, Serio M, Martini L and Motta M: In vitro effects of an aromatase inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase activity in human hypertrophic prostatic tissue. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1986 (63):269–271

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Rasmusson GH: Biochemistry and pharmacology of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. In: Furr BJA and Wakeling AE (eds) Pharmacology and Clinical Uses of Inhibitors of Hormone Secretion and Action. Bailliere Tindall, London 1987 pp 308–325

    Google Scholar 

  54. Wenderoth UK, George FW and Wilson JD: The effect of a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor on androgen-mediated growth of the dog prostate. Endocrinology 1983 (113):569–573

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Habenicht UF, Scwartz K, Schweikert HU, Neumann F and El Etreby MF: Development of a model for the induction of estrogen-related prostatic hyperplasia in the dog and its response to the aromatase inhibitor 4- hydroxy-4-androstene-3, 17-dione: preliminary results. Prostate 1986 (8):181–194

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Baba Y, Matsuo M and Schally AV: Structure of the porcine LH-and FSH-releasing hormone. II. Confirmation of the proposed structure by conventional sequential analyses. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1971 (44):459–461

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Karten MJ and Rivier JE: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog design. Strucure-function studies toward the development of agonists and antagonists: rationale and perspective. Endocr Rev 1986 (7):44–66

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Bhasin S and Swerdloff RS: Mechanisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist action in the human male. Endocr Rev 1986(7):106–114

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Schally AV, Comaru-Schally AM and Redding TW: Antitumor effects of analogs of hypothalamic hormones in endocrine-dependent cancers. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1984 (175):259–281

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Clayton RN and Catt KJ: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors: characterization, physiological regulation and relationship to reproductive function. Endocr Rev 1981 (2):186–201

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Hierowski MT, Altamirano P, Redding TW and Schally AV: The presence of LHRH-like receptors in Dunning R- 3327H prostate tumors. FEBS Lett 1983 (154):92–96

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Redding TW, Coy DH and Schally AV: Prostate carcinoma tumor size in rats decreases after administration of antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1982 (79):1273–1276

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Geller J, Albert JD, Nachsheim DA and Loza D: Comparison of prostatic cancer tissue dihydrotestosterone levels at the time of relapse following orchiectomy or estrogen therapy. J Urol 1984 (132):693–696

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Trachtenberg J: Optimal testosterone concentration for the treatment of prostatic cancer. J Urol 1985 (133):888- 892

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Worgul TJ, Santen RJ, Samojlik E, Veldhuis JD, Lipton A, Harvey HA, Drago JR and Rohner TJ: Clinical and biochemical effect of aminoglutethimide in the treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma. J Urol 1983 (129):51–57

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Sonino N: The endocrine effects of ketoconazole. J Endocrinol Invest 1986:341–347

    Google Scholar 

  67. Moreau JP and De Fendis FV: Pharmacological studies of somatostatin and somatostatin-analogues: therapeutic advances and perspectives. Life Sci 1987 (40):419–437

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Defeudis FV and Moreau JP: Studies on somatostatin analogues might lead to new therapies for certain types of cancer. TIPS 1986(10): 384–386

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Motta, M. (1988). The Endocrinological Basis for Hormonal Therapy. In: Denis, L. (eds) The Medical Management of Prostate Cancer. ESO Monographs. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73238-6_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73238-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-73240-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73238-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics