Dihydrotestosterone Induces Proliferation, Migration, And Invasion Of Human Glioblastoma Cell Lines

The study investigated the role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the progression of glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive brain tumor. Researchers found that DHT, a metabolite of testosterone (T), increased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human GBM cell lines U87 and U251. The study showed that the expression of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts T to DHT, was higher in GBM tissues compared to normal brain tissue. Inhibitors of 5α-reductase, finasteride and dutasteride, were able to block the effects of T on GBM cells, suggesting that T promotes GBM progression through its conversion to DHT. The findings highlighted the potential of targeting DHT and its pathway as a therapeutic strategy for GBM.