Hormonal network influencing prostate cancer treatment.

Decoding Prostate Cancer: Can Sex Hormones Predict Treatment Success?

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research unveils the potential of serum sex steroids as key indicators in predicting the effectiveness of androgen deprivation therapy for recurrent prostate cancer, offering hope for more personalized treatment strategies."

Prostate cancer remains a significant health challenge for men worldwide. As therapeutic options expand, identifying biomarkers to predict treatment response becomes increasingly vital. Recent research focuses on the potential of serum sex steroids to serve as prognostic indicators in patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for recurrent prostate cancer. This approach could revolutionize how we personalize cancer treatments.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a cornerstone treatment for prostate cancer, but its effectiveness can vary. Doctors need better ways to determine which patients will respond well to ADT and which might require alternative strategies early on. Previous studies have shown testosterone levels can predict time to castration resistance, but understanding the roles of other sex steroids could offer even greater insights.

This article delves into a post-hoc analysis of the PR.7 trial, exploring the potential of serum sex steroids as prognostic biomarkers in men receiving ADT for recurrent prostate cancer. The research assesses the predictive power of these hormones in relation to castration resistance, prostate cancer survival, and overall survival, offering a new perspective on personalized prostate cancer management.

Harnessing Hormones: How Sex Steroids Impact Prostate Cancer Treatment

Hormonal network influencing prostate cancer treatment.

The study retrospectively analyzed data from Canadian patients in the PR.7 trial who received continuous ADT following biochemical recurrence post-radiotherapy. Researchers measured various sex steroid levels using mass spectrometry and correlated these levels with clinical outcomes such as time to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), prostate cancer survival, and overall survival.

Key sex steroids analyzed included testosterone, androstenedione (AD), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androsterone (AST), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenediol (A5diol), estrone (E1), and estradiol (E2). The analysis aimed to determine if specific steroid levels or changes in levels over time could predict how well patients responded to ADT.

Estrone (E1) and Estradiol (E2): Higher levels were significantly associated with a shorter time to CRPC, suggesting these estrogens may promote resistance to ADT.
DHEA and AST: Increases in serum DHEA and AST levels over time were also linked to a shorter time to CRPC, indicating a potential adaptive response within the tumor microenvironment.
Testosterone, DHT, and AD: Higher levels correlated with castration resistance

These findings indicate that monitoring sex steroid levels beyond testosterone could offer a more comprehensive understanding of a patient's response to ADT. The study highlights the potential for tailored treatment strategies based on individual hormone profiles.

The Future of Prostate Cancer Treatment: Personalized Approaches Based on Hormonal Signatures

This research underscores the importance of considering a broader range of sex hormones when managing prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT. By monitoring these hormonal signatures, clinicians may be able to identify patients at higher risk of developing castration resistance and adjust treatment strategies accordingly.

Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which these sex steroids influence prostate cancer progression and resistance. However, these findings pave the way for developing more personalized and effective treatment approaches for prostate cancer patients.

The ability to predict treatment response based on sex steroid levels could significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary treatments, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for men battling prostate cancer.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-1187, Alternate LINK

Title: Serum Sex Steroids As Prognostic Biomarkers In Patients Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy For Recurrent Prostate Cancer: A Post Hoc Analysis Of The Pr.7 Trial

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Clinical Cancer Research

Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Authors: Paul Toren, Azik Hoffman, Keyue Ding, France-Hélène Joncas, Véronique Turcotte, Patrick Caron, Frédéric Pouliot, Yves Fradet, Éric Lévesque, Chantal Guillemette, Laurence Klotz

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and why is it important in the context of prostate cancer treatment?

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for prostate cancer that aims to lower the levels of androgens, such as testosterone, which fuel the growth of cancer cells. The significance of ADT is that it's a cornerstone in managing the disease, but its effectiveness varies among patients. Understanding which patients will respond positively is crucial for effective treatment strategies. This involves monitoring the levels of several sex steroids, including testosterone, to better predict outcomes and tailor therapies.

What is Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) and how are hormone levels related to its development?

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) develops when prostate cancer continues to grow even after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The research suggests that higher levels of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone, DHT, and AD can indicate a shorter time to CRPC. The implications are significant as these findings highlight the need to monitor a broader range of sex hormones to predict the progression of the disease and allow for the timely implementation of alternative treatment approaches.

What are sex steroids, and why is measuring them significant in prostate cancer treatment?

Sex steroids are hormones, including testosterone, androstenedione (AD), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androsterone (AST), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenediol (A5diol), estrone (E1), and estradiol (E2), that play a critical role in prostate cancer. Measuring these hormones is important because they can serve as biomarkers to predict how patients will respond to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Understanding how these steroids influence outcomes such as time to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), prostate cancer survival, and overall survival is key to personalizing treatments.

What was the PR.7 trial and what were its key findings?

The PR.7 trial is a study that examined the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for recurrent prostate cancer. This research analyzed data from Canadian patients who received continuous ADT following biochemical recurrence post-radiotherapy. Analyzing the data involved measuring various sex steroid levels and correlating them with clinical outcomes such as time to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), prostate cancer survival, and overall survival. The trial's findings provide insights into how these hormones can influence treatment outcomes.

What are personalized treatment strategies, and how do they relate to hormonal signatures in prostate cancer?

Personalized treatment strategies involve tailoring medical interventions to individual patients based on their unique characteristics. In the context of prostate cancer, this approach could involve monitoring a range of sex steroid levels, such as testosterone, androstenedione (AD), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androsterone (AST), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenediol (A5diol), estrone (E1), and estradiol (E2), to predict how well a patient will respond to ADT. The implications are that clinicians can use these hormonal signatures to identify patients at higher risk of developing castration resistance and adjust treatment strategies accordingly, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life.