Polymorphisms in Genes Involved in Androgen Pathways as Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

PurposeProstate cancer is epidemic in Western society and androgens are known to mediate key physiological processes in prostate tissue. Therefore, endogenous androgens have long been considered risk factors for prostate cancer. We reviewed the association of androgen pathway genes and their polymorphic sites, and the risk of prostate cancer in individuals of different ethnic backgrounds.Materials and MethodsA PubMed® search was performed using the key words, prostate cancer, and 20 select gene names combined with variant and polymorphism. Relevant articles and references during 1998 to 2008 were reviewed for data on the association between polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk.ResultsRecent data suggested that androgen pathway genes have a role in prostate cancer susceptibility. However, the effects of polymorphisms seem to vary in different patients, populations and ethnic backgrounds. The most studied genetic variants are those of AR, SRD5A2, CYP17A1 and CYP3A loci, and the most recent intriguing data come from SHBG and SULT2A genes, of which relatively few studies have been performed.ConclusionsThe association between androgen pathway gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk is complex and characterized by contradictory results. The cause of this conflict in any particular association of genotype and phenotype is difficult to identify and it can be attributable to biological, statistical and technical causes. However, recent developments that reach beyond single gene studies, such as genome scale single nucleotide polymorphism studies and multinational collaborations, are a great prospect for future study and understanding more complex interactions.