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Possible mechanism of dexamethasone therapy for prostate cancer: Suppression of circulating level of interleukin‐6
Author(s) -
Akakura Koichiro,
Suzuki Hiroyoshi,
Ueda Takeshi,
Komiya Akira,
Ichikawa Tomohiko,
Igarashi Tatsuo,
Ito Haruo
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/pros.10231
Subject(s) - medicine , prostate cancer , dexamethasone , endocrinology , prostate , androgen deprivation therapy , androgen , prostate specific antigen , dehydroepiandrosterone , dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , cancer , hormone
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoids may have favorable effects on prostate cancer patients showing clinical and/or biochemical failure after androgen ablation. The efficacy and mechanisms of dexamethasone therapy as possible alternative endocrine therapy were investigated. METHODS Twenty five patients with prostate cancer treated by androgen ablation and showing a steady increase in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) were treated with low‐dose dexamethasone. RESULTS Of 25 patients, 11 demonstrated 50% or more decline of serum PSA and 9 showed improvement of pain on dexamethasone therapy. Of 8 patients who responded to dexamethasone thearpy, 5 had 80% or more decrease in serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). In contrast, none of 8 non‐responders showed remarkable IL‐6 suppression. Response of PSA was not correlated to the changes in serum dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, or androstendione. CONCLUSIONS Significant suppression of serum IL‐6, probably through inhibition of androgen‐independent activation of androgen receptor, may be one of the mechanisms for the effect of dexamethasone therapy in prostate cancer patients with progressive disease. Prostate 56: 106–109, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.