Since androgens affect urothelial bladder cancer (UBC), we examined whether 5α-reductases (5-AR) have genomic alterations in UBC and whether 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) affect UBC.
The cBioPortal was used to analyze genomic alternations of 5-ARs in UBC cancer genomic datasets. Next, we used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research database to conduct a population-based case-control study to investigate the effect of a 5-ARI, finasteride on UBC incidence. We also performed an XTT assay to examine the direct effect of finasteride on UBC cells.
We found that 5-AR genomic alternations were observed in 29% of UBC patients and patients with alternations had shorter disease-free survival. Also, the use of finasteride with >180 cDDDs reduced the risk of UBC. Finasteride could directly inhibit UBC cell growth.
Based on our findings, we concluded that 5-AR could be explored as a therapeutic target for UBC with 5-ARIs.
Anticancer research. 2017 Dec [Epub]
Chi-Cheng Chen, Chi-Ping Huang, Yi-Tung Tsai, Teng-Fu Hseih, Chih-Rong Shyr
Sex Hormone Research Center, Departments of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology and Urology, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C., Department of Urology, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. ., Sex Hormone Research Center, Departments of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology and Urology, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. .