Abstract
BackgroundCorrelation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available. Salivary hormone levels represent the bioavailable fraction. To further elucidate the role of endogenous hormones in breast cancer, we aimed to assess correlation between salivary sex steroid levels and breast cancer prevalence.MethodsSalivary hormone levels of testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P), Estriol (E3), Estrone (E1), DHEAS and Cortisol (C) were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) in 357 women with histologically verified breast cancer and 184 age-matched control women.ResultsSalivary T and DHEAS levels were significantly lower in breast cancer cases vs. controls (27.2+13.9 vs. 32.2+17.5 pg/ml, p < 0.001 for T and 5.3+4.3 vs. 6.4+4.5 ng/ml, p = 0.007 for DHEAS). E2 and E1 levels were elevated and E3 levels were lowered in cases vs. controls.ConclusionsSalivary T levels, representing the bioavailable hormone, are significantly lower in women with breast cancer compared to age-matched control women. These findings support the protective role of biovailable testosterone in counteracting the proliferative effects of estrogens on mammary tissue.
Highlights
Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available
Breast cancer diagnosis was categorized according to histological reports to: Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), ILC and Lobular Carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Salivary testosterone levels are significantly lower in breast cancer patients compared to controls
Summary
Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available. Recent large prospective cohort studies on postmenopausal women make it clear that high levels of estrogens increase mammary gland proliferation and are associated with increased breast cancer risk [1]. The relationship between endogenous androgen levels (testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)) and breast cancer risk is still unclear with both epidemiologic and experimental data providing conflicting results [5,6]. Many of these studies use inaccurate methods to measure the low levels of bioactive forms of androgens in women
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