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News
Androgens Not Associated With Risk of Ovarian Cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 05 - Contrary to what has been hypothesized, high circulating androgen levels are not associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer, according to findings published in the January issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
"Experimental studies suggest that testosterone can increase ovarian cancer cell proliferation," note Dr. Shelley S. Tworoger and colleagues from Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. "Because of the paucity of prospective studies with blood samples, only recently have epidemiologic data become available regarding this hypothesis," they note.
In a prospective, nested case-control study, the researchers examined whether plasma concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are associated with the risk of ovarian cancer. Included in the analysis were 224 cases and 603 controls.
No associations were observed between plasma androgen levels and the risk of ovarian cancer. Comparing the top quartile with the bottom quartile, the adjusted relative risks were 0.74 for testosterone, 0.76 for androstenedione, 0.72 for DHEA, and 0.79 for DHEAS.
"Our study, with existing prospective epidemiologic studies, does not support the hypothesis that circulating androgen concentrations are a risk factor for ovarian cancer in premenopausal or postmenopausal women," Dr.
Tworoger and colleagues conclude.
Am J Epidemiol 2008;167:211-218.
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