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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Low salivary testosterone levels in patients with breast cancer

Authors: Constantine Dimitrakakis, David Zava, Spyros Marinopoulos, Alexandra Tsigginou, Aris Antsaklis, Rebecca Glaser

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available. Salivary hormone levels represent the bioavailable fraction. To further elucidate the role of endogenous hormones in breast cancer, we aimed to assess correlation between salivary sex steroid levels and breast cancer prevalence.

Methods

Salivary hormone levels of testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P), Estriol (E3), Estrone (E1), DHEAS and Cortisol (C) were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) in 357 women with histologically verified breast cancer and 184 age-matched control women.

Results

Salivary T and DHEAS levels were significantly lower in breast cancer cases vs. controls (27.2+13.9 vs. 32.2+17.5 pg/ml, p < 0.001 for T and 5.3+4.3 vs. 6.4+4.5 ng/ml, p = 0.007 for DHEAS). E2 and E1 levels were elevated and E3 levels were lowered in cases vs. controls.

Conclusions

Salivary T levels, representing the bioavailable hormone, are significantly lower in women with breast cancer compared to age-matched control women. These findings support the protective role of biovailable testosterone in counteracting the proliferative effects of estrogens on mammary tissue.
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Metadata
Title
Low salivary testosterone levels in patients with breast cancer
Authors
Constantine Dimitrakakis
David Zava
Spyros Marinopoulos
Alexandra Tsigginou
Aris Antsaklis
Rebecca Glaser
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-10-547

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