Androgens and epithelial ovarian cancer: What's the connection?

Abstract

Significant advancements have been made to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which androgens signal in benign and malignant ovarian epithelial cells. Particular focus has centered on interactions with the TGFβ and EGF pathways. It does not appear that enhanced androgen signaling, either by increased ligand availability or more active receptors, affects ovarian cancer risk. However, appreciable data indicate short (CAG)n repeat lengths in AR, altered expression and activity of AR co-activators, and/or differential expression androgen-mediated genes influence cancer biology and clinical outcome. Despite these findings, the appropriate application of anti-androgen therapy has yet to be determined in the management of ovarian cancer, and will require further study before AR manipulation may become clinically relevant. ©2008 Landes Bioscience.