TLDR Glioblastoma cells can make androgens, which might help the tumor grow.
Glioblastoma (GB) cells express crucial enzymes involved in androgen synthesis, including 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17α-hydroxilase/17,20-lyase (P450c17), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), and 5α-reductase. This study used immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analyses on U87, LN229, and C6 cell lines to confirm the presence of these enzymes in the cytoplasm of GB cells. The findings suggest that GB cells have the necessary enzymatic machinery to synthesize androgens, which may contribute to the tumor's pathogenesis and could serve as potential targets for new therapeutic approaches.
5 citations,
July 2021 in “Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism” Glioblastoma cells can make androgens, which might help the tumor grow.
11 citations,
September 2020 in “OncoTargets and Therapy” Dihydrotestosterone increases growth and spread of human brain cancer cells, and blocking its formation might help treat this cancer.
19 citations,
December 2019 in “Steroids” Finasteride and dutasteride reduce neurosteroid production, possibly helping treat glioblastoma.
25 citations,
March 2017 in “Steroids” Allopregnanolone increases growth and changes gene activity in human brain cancer cells.
218 citations,
December 2011 in “Advances in Urology” The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.
January 2024 in “Medicina” Statins may help treat PCOS by lowering androgen levels and improving cholesterol.
131 citations,
September 2017 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology” The document concludes that blocking the internal pathways that create androgens might help treat cancers that depend on sex hormones.
44 citations,
September 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” New treatments are needed for PCOS that target its genetic, hormonal, and metabolic causes.
23 citations,
October 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Men with baldness have higher levels of specific proteins, suggesting local hormone production may play a role in hair loss.
1 citations,
January 2022 in “Journal of Biosciences and Medicines” Understanding how androgens and their receptors work can lead to improved treatments for skin diseases.
