Connection found between going bald and being less likely to get prostate cancer

Posted on February 11th, 2007 in Hair Loss Studies by admin | 1,424 Views |

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[Study Summary - In this particular study, researchers determined that it’s actually the genetic variant of the 5alpha- reductase type 2 enzyme the person has that affects the probability they will get prostate cancer, rather then the actual amount of this enzyme in their body. In their study, which looked at 827 cases and 736 control subjects in Australia, the researchers were able to conclude that a variant of the 5alpha- reductase type 2 enzyme is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, lower levels of circulating 3 alpha-diol glucuronide and a decreased risk of baldness.

In other words, for some balding men this is actually good news because they are less likely to develop prostate cancer as the people who have this enzyme variant who are more likely to not be losing their hair.]

5alpha-Reductase type 2 gene variant associations with prostate cancer risk, circulating hormone levels and androgenetic alopecia.

Int J Cancer. 2007 Feb 15
Hayes VM, Severi G, Padilla EJ, Morris HA, Tilley WD, Southey MC, English DR, Sutherland RL, Hopper JL, Boyle P, Giles GG.
Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Controversy exists over the significance of associations between the SRD5A2 (5alpha-reductase type 2) polymorphisms, A49T and V89L, and risk of prostate cancer.

These potentially functional polymorphisms may alter life-long exposure to androgens with subsequent effects on male health and aging. The aim of this study was to examine the association of these variants with prostate cancer risk, plasma hormone levels and androgenetic alopecia. Subjects include 827 cases and 736 controls from an Australian population-based case-control study of prostate cancer. Information on prostate cancer risk factors and patterns of balding were collected. Plasma levels of testosterone, 3alpha-diol glucuronide (3alpha-diolG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, sex hormone-binding globulin and estradiol were measured for controls. No associations with the V89L polymorphism were found. Carriers of the rarer A49T A allele were at a 60% higher risk of prostate cancer (OR = 1.60; 95% CI 1.09-2.36; p = 0.02) and 50% lower risk of vertex and frontal balding (p = 0.03) compared with men homozygous for the more common G allele. Although we found little evidence of association between this variant and plasma levels of 5 measured androgens, circulating 3alpha-diolG levels were 34% lower in A49T A allele carriers (p < 0.0001).

Our study provides evidence that the SRD5A2 A49T A variant is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, lower levels of circulating 3alpha-diolG and decreased risk of baldness. These findings raise important questions with respect to previous assumptions concerning hormonal influences on prostate cancer risk in ageing males. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Source: PMID 17136762

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