Androgens and prostate cancer: are the descriptors valid?

Abstract

The term androgen-independent cancer has now become a misnomer. Given that the androgen receptor can be activated by even low androgen concentrations or via protein modifications or other protein-protein interactions, a growing prostate cancer has the chance of assuming an androgen depletion-independent state, without necessarily bypassing the androgen signaling processes. It is thus suggested that "androgen-independent (AI)" cancer should be more accurately termed "androgen depletion-independent (ADI)" cancer.

• Authors: Pradip Roy-Burman, Donald J Tindall, Diane M Robins, Norman M Greenberg, Mary J C Hendrix, Suresh Mohla, Robert H Getzenberg, John T Isaacs, Kenneth J Pienta
• Journal: Cancer biology & therapy (Cancer Biol Ther) Vol. 4 Issue 1 Pg. 4-5 (Jan 2005) ISSN: 1538-4047 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16052746 (Publication Type: Letter)

Chemical References

• Androgen Antagonists
• Androgens
• Receptors, Androgen

Topics

• Androgen Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Androgens (metabolism, physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Prostatic Neoplasms (physiopathology)
• Receptors, Androgen (physiology)
• Signal Transduction