Is Dehydroepiandrosterone a Hormone?

The document from 2005 concludes that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is not a hormone but a significant prohormone, particularly important in human and primate physiology. It is produced in large quantities by the adrenals and is involved in the intracrine regulation of sex steroids within peripheral tissues. DHEA is crucial for the local production of androgens and estrogens, especially after menopause in women, and contributes to androgen production in the prostate in men. The paper discusses the therapeutic potential of DHEA in treating breast and prostate cancer and its role in hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. It also highlights the importance of DHEA in bone physiology, skin health, and metabolic syndrome, with evidence from a study involving 15 women aged 60-70 showing significant benefits from DHEA treatment. Furthermore, the document discusses the role of steroidogenic enzymes and UGT enzymes in the metabolism of DHEA and androgens, and the implications of declining DHEA levels with age. It suggests that DHEA therapy can improve various conditions without significant side effects and emphasizes the life-saving benefits of combined androgen blockade in treating advanced prostate cancer. The document also advocates for the early use of CAB in localized prostate cancer to prevent resistance and improve outcomes.