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The effect of flutamide on basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma levels of adrenal androgens in patients with advanced prostate cancer

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Abstract

The effect of flutamide on basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma levels of adrenal androgens was investigated in 6 patients with untreated advanced prostate cancer, aged 52–75 yr. Flutamide was administered (250 mg three times daily) for 10 days; before and after treatment, a synthetic ACTH1 -24 stimulation test (250 µg im, with blood sampling immediately before and 60 min after the stimulus) was performed. Basal plasma 170H-pregnenolone (Δ5-170HP), 170H-progesterone (A4-170HP), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate (DHEAS) were unchanged by flutamide treatment. In contrast, basal plasma testosterone (T) concentrations significantly increased (p < 0.05). The response of Cortisol Δ 4-170HP, Δ 5-170HP, A and DHEA to ACTH, as well as the ACTH-stimulated Δ5-170HP/Δ4-170HP, Δ5-170HP/DHEA, Δ4-170HP/A and DHEA/A ratios, were unchanged by flutamide treatment. These findings indicate that: a) Short-term flutamide administration enhances testicular steroidogenesis, via augmented LH pulse frequency; b) Adrenal steroidogenesis seems to be not affected by the drug, since ACTH-stimulated plasma levels of adrenal androgens and precursors/products ratios were unchanged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Italy

    S. Balzano, V. Sica & E. Martino

  2. Clinica Urologica, Università di Cagliari, 09100, Cagliari

    R. Migliari, R. M. Scarpa, G. Campus & E. Usai

  3. Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00100, Roma

    M. Cappa & E. Danielli

  4. Laboratori Essex, 20100, Milano, Italy

    C. Pintus

Authors
  1. S. Balzano
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  2. M. Cappa
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  3. R. Migliari
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  4. R. M. Scarpa
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  5. E. Danielli
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  6. G. Campus
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  7. C. Pintus
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  8. V. Sica
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  9. E. Usai
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  10. E. Martino
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Balzano, S., Cappa, M., Migliari, R. et al. The effect of flutamide on basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma levels of adrenal androgens in patients with advanced prostate cancer. J Endocrinol Invest 11, 693–696 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03350920

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03350920

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