SERUM ANDROGENS - ASSOCIATIONS WITH PROSTATE-CANCER RISK AND HAIR PATTERNING

Cancer of the prostate is the leading cancer among American men, yet f ew risk factors have been established. Hair growth and development are influenced by androgens, and it has long been suspected that prostate cancer also is responsive to these hormones. A blinded, case-control study was undertaken to determine if hair patterning is associated wit h risk of prostate cancer, as well as specific hormonal profiles. The study accrued 315 male subjects who were stratified with regard to age , race, and case-control status (159 prostate cancer cases/156 control s). Hair-patterning classification and serum levels of total and free testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin, and dihydrotestosteron e (DHT) were performed. Data indicate that hair patterning did not dif fer between pros tate cancer cases and controls; however, significant hormonal differences were detected between the two groups. Free T was greater among cases than in controls (16.4 +/- 6.1 vs. 14.9 +/- 4.8 pg /ml, P = 0.02). Conversely, DHT-related ratios were greater among cont rols (P = 0.03 for DHT/T and P = 0.01 for DHT/free T). Several strong associations also were found between hormone levels and hair patternin g. Men with Vertex and frontal baldness had higher levels of free T (1 6.5 +/- 5.5 and 16.2 +/- 8.0 pg/ml, respectively) when compared to men with either little or no hair loss (14.8 +/- 4.7 pg/ml) (P = 0.01). D ata suggest that increased levels of free T may be a risk factor for p rostatic carcinoma. In addition, although no differences in hair patte rning were detected between cases and controls within this older popul ation, further research (i.e., prospective trials or case-control stud ies among younger men) may be necessary to determine if hair patternin g serves as a Viable biomarker for this disease, especially given the strong association between free T levels and baldness.