Serum Androgens and Prostate Cancer Risk in Men with BRCA1/2 Variants.

What is it about?

The study investigates the association of serum androgen levels and prostate cancer (PCa) detection in a prospective screening study of men at higher genetic risk of aggressive PCa due to BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants. A total of 777 participants in the IMPACT study had TT and SHBG measurements in serum samples at annual visits, giving 3940 prospective androgen levels, from 266 BRCA1 PVs carriers, 313 BRCA2 PVs carriers and 198 non-carriers. There was no difference in TT, SHBG and FT between carriers and non-carriers. In a univariate analysis, androgen levels were not associated with PCa. In the analysis stratified by carrier status, no significant associations between hormonal levels and PCa were observed.

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Why is it important?

This research is important because it investigates the association between serum androgen levels and the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in men at higher genetic risk due to BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs). This study contributes to the ongoing debate about the relationship between serum androgens and the development of PCa. Key Takeaways: 1. A total of 777 participants in the IMPACT study had TT and SHBG measurements in serum samples at annual visits, giving 3940 prospective androgen levels, from 266 BRCA1 PVs carriers, 313 BRCA2 PVs carriers, and 198 non-carriers. 2. No significant difference in TT, SHBG, and FT was observed between carriers and non-carriers of BRCA1/2 PVs. 3. On univariate logistic regression, age was a significant predictor of PCa (odds ratio [OR] 1.085, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02, 1.09, p = 0.002). 4. The association between androgen levels and PCa risk was non-significant when using TT as a dichotomous variable. 5. The study found no association between BRCA1/2 variant and baseline hormonal levels.