HORMONES AND EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER [in Menopause - Hormones and Cancer Proceedings]
edited by M. Neves -e-Castro and B.G. Wren 2002
[CH 15 p129-140]

1. Androgens
   
   
   1. plasma estrone is produced by adipose aromatization of androstenedione, about half of which is ovarian, and half adrenal in younger women
      
   2. Breast and ovarian epithelial cells express 17B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17BHSD), which converts Androstenedione to Testosterone (and Estrone to Estradiol)
      
   3. Androstenedione is a weak androgen, which does not bind strongly to Ar Androgen receptor
      
      1. converted in epithelial cells to testosterone, which does bind to Ar
         
   4. Plasma levels of androgens are greater than those of estrogens, even during the late follicular phase of the menstural cycle when estrogen levels are highest.
      
   5. Androgens may stimulate epithelial cell proliferation
      
      1. Testosterone stimulates ovarian epithelium
         
      2. epidemiology supports the association between androgens and risk of ovarian cancer
         
      
      
      

goto CH 1

goto Index

goto www.DrTimDelivers.com


page views since Sept2007