Dichloroacetate (DCA) inhibits aerobic glycolysis via inhibition of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), which allows for the phosphorylation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase and the formation of acetylCo-A. This then feeds the krebs cycle. Increased mitochondrial activity increases ROS and resultant apoptosis of cancer cells.
Several studies indicate that DHEA may enhance cancer-promoting activities in several prostate cancer cell lines acting as agonist or antagonist for the intracellular AR
the estrogenic metabolites of DHEA, 5a-androstane-3b, 17b-diol (3b-Adiol) and E2 bind to estrogen receptors but not to AR
Different members of neurotrophins are expressed during cancer progression, suggesting their involvement in cell proliferation, anoikis protection, and malignancy
Regulation of the apoptotic machinery in prostate and colon cancer cells by testosterone occurs rapidly and is initiated at the plasma membrane level through specific membrane-binding sites not involving the classical cytoplasmic AR
testosterone exerts potent regulatory effects on prostate and colon cancer cell apoptosis
Testosterone increased cell death in a dose-dependent manner
testosterone antagonizes the prosurvival effects of DHEA in neuronal cells, blocking its binding to NGF receptors
treatment of cells with DHEA exerted a strong antiapoptotic effect,
Androgens hold a central role in prostate and colon cancer biology
elevated levels of DHEA or its sulfate ester DHEA-sulfate in young adults are associated to low incidence of androgen-dependent tumors
DHEA may play a protective role in young prostate
The decline of DHEA with aging may contribute to prostate cancer progression associated with advanced age
DHEA is an effective antiapoptotic factor, reversing the serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (DU145 and LNCaP cell lines) as well as in colon cancer cells
NGF appears to exert similar antiapoptotic actions in both prostate and color cancer cells
exposure of prostate DU145 and colon Caco2 cancer cells to testosterone totally blocked the protective effects of both DHEA and NGF. These findings suggest that testosterone acts as an antagonist of DHEA and NGF
These findings support the hypothesis that testosterone may inhibit cancer cell growth by antagonizing the proliferative, antiapoptotic effects of endogenous factors, such as DHEA or NGF, in the case of prostate and colon cancer cells
intratumor hormonal microenvironment may play a critical role in tumor progression.
The paracrine interactions of androgens with locally produced NGF may define tumor cell fate
Full article of previously posted abstract. Cancers are unique. Not all cancers are alike. Whether they are tissue specific or not, cancers are unique. This article describes the uniqueness of DHEA and Testosterone cancer, with particular attention to colon.
Study finds ER-beta plays more significant role in the development of Colon cancer than ER-alpha in women. HRT in women reduces colon cancer risk in comparison to breast, which is increased. Shows the different tissue expression of ER-alpha and ER-beta, as well as the HRT itself.
This article focus' more on the liver and insulin effect of DHEA, but highlights the 2002 study of DHEA and decreased aberrant crypt foci in potential cancer prevention.
Study finds Testosterone induces apoptosis via deactivation of NGF. Testosterone counters the proliferation of DHEA, via NGF activation. Without evaluation of aromatase activity, this study is incomplete.
Study finds that increased free Testosterone is associated with increased incidence of prostate cancer. Higher Total Testosterone was associated with lung cancer and androgens were not associated with colorectal cancer incidence. That being said, the evaluation of androgens only is a significant limiting factor of this study.
Low Testosterone is common among male cancer survivors after therapy. Many studies point to low T at the time of diagnosis as a prognostic biomarker. The low T impairs QOL in this men.
Colorectal cancer associated with decreased Testosterone levels in men. This paper looked at total serum Testosterone. The authors proposed that CEA plus Testosterone could be used in follow up.