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Mechanisms of Disease: polymorphisms of androgen regulatory genes in the development of prostate cancer

Nature Clinical Practice Urology volume 2, pages 101–107 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Androgens are of primary importance in the etiology of prostate cancer, and binding of the androgen dihydrotestosterone to the androgen receptor is thought to stimulate prostate growth. It has been proposed that polymorphisms within key androgen regulatory genes may contribute to an individual's risk of developing prostate cancer. Attributing single polymorphisms to complex, late-onset, chronic diseases such as prostate cancer is probably not feasible, but identification of genes that increase risk will contribute to larger-scale multigenic risk assessment. Here, we review the current status of our knowledge of associations between important androgen regulatory gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk.

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Figure 1: Map of the important regions of the androgen receptor.
Figure 2: Simplified pathway of human testosterone biosynthesis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Jersey School of Medicine,

    Arun S Singh

  2. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda

    William D Figg

  3. Molecular Pharmacology Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 10, Room 5A01, MSC 1910, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA

    William D Figg

Authors
  1. Arun S Singh
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  2. Cindy H Chau
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  3. Douglas K Price
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  4. William D Figg
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Correspondence to William D Figg.

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Singh, A., Chau, C., Price, D. et al. Mechanisms of Disease: polymorphisms of androgen regulatory genes in the development of prostate cancer. Nat Rev Urol 2, 101–107 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0091

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