Low endogenous testosterone levels are associated with the extend of lymphnodal invasion at radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection

Testosterone: A Review for Orthopaedic Surgeons

» Testosterone replacement treatment (TRT) and anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use is common and possibly increasing.» Diagnosing and treating hypogonadism in men is controversial.» Hypogonadism and the use of AASs seem to have a detrimental effect on the musculoskeletal system. The current literature on TRT and the musculoskeletal system shows an increased risk of tendon injury.» There may be a role for testosterone supplementation in the postoperative period.

Positive independent association between preoperative endogenous testosterone density and tumor load density in surgical specimen of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of endogenous testosterone density (ETD) and tumor load density (TLD) in the surgical specimen of prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

METHODS

ETD was assessed as the ratio of endogenous testosterone (ET) to prostate volume (PV). TLD was calculated as the ratio of tumor load (TL) to prostate weight. Preoperative prostate-specific antigen relative densities (PSAD) and percentage of biopsy-positive cores (BPCD) were also assessed. The association of high TLD (above the first quartile) with clinical and pathological factors was assessed by the logistic regression model (univariate and multivariate analysis).

RESULTS

Between November 2014 and December 2019, ET was measured in 805 cases treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Median (IQR) of ET and ETD was 412 (321.4-519 ng/dL) and 9.8 (6.8-14.4 ng/(dLxmL)) as well as for TL and TLD was 20 (10-30%) and 0.33 (0.17-0.58%/gr), respectively. As a result, high TLD was detected in 75% of cases. A positive independent association was found between high TLD and ETD. Accordingly, as ETD levels increased, the risk of detecting high TLD in the surgical specimen increased, regardless of PSAD and BPCD.

CONCLUSIONS

At diagnosis of PCa, a positive independent association was found between ETD and risk of high TLD. Subjects with increasing ETD levels were more likely to have high TLD, associated with unfavorable pathology features. The positive association between ETD and TLD in the prostate microenvironment might adversely influence PCa's natural history.

Effects of Obesity and Calorie Restriction on Cancer Development

The risk of malignant tumor development is increasing in the world. Obesity is an established risk factor for various malignancies. There are many metabolic alterations associated with obesity which promote cancerogenesis. Excessive body weight leads to increased levels of estrogens, chronic inflammation and hypoxia, which can play an important role in the development of malignancies. It is proved that calorie restriction can improve the state of patients with various diseases. Decreased calorie uptake influences lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, hormone levels and cell processes. Many investigations have been devoted to the effects of calorie restriction on cancer development in vitro and in vivo. It was revealed that fasting can regulate the activity of the signal cascades including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p53, mTOR, insulin/ insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and JAK-STAT. Up- or down-regulation of the pathways results in the decrease of cancer cell proliferation, migration and survival and the increase of apoptosis and effects of chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to discuss the connection between obesity and cancer development and the mechanisms of calorie restriction influence on cancerogenesis that stress the importance of further research of calorie restriction effects for the inclusion of this approach in clinical practice.

Preoperative endogenous total testosterone predicts prostate cancer progression: results in 580 consecutive patients treated with robot assisted radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease

PURPOSE

To test the role of endogenous total testosterone (ETT) as a predictor of prostate cancer (PCa) progression in patients treated with robot assisted radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease.

METHODS

Between November 2014 and December 2019, 580 consecutive patients were evaluated. Preoperative ETT levels were classified as ≤ 350 ng/dL vs. > 350 ng/dL. The associations between ETT levels and the risk of PCa progression, defined as any event of biochemical recurrence and/or local recurrence and/or distant metastases, or other clinical and pathological factors were evaluated by regression analyses.

RESULTS

Preoperative ETT levels resulted ≤ 350 ng/dL in 173 (29.8%) patients. Disease progression occurred in 101 (17.1%) cases. Progressing patients were more likely to present with PSA levels > 10 ng/mL, as well as with unfavorable tumor grade (ISUP 4-5) and stage (pT3b) at final pathology, but less likely to have ETT levels ≤ 350 ng/mL. On clinical multivariable Cox regression models, ETT ≤ 350 ng/mL exhibited a statistically significant protective effect on tumor progression (hazard ratio: 0.57, p = 0.013). Subjects presenting with ETT levels ≤ 350 ng/mL were less likely to harbor ISUP 4-5 tumor grade either at biopsy (odds ratio [OR]: 0.46, p = 0.028) or final pathology (OR: 0.45, p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

At PCa diagnosis, ETT, which associates with ISUP tumor grade, is an independent predictor of disease progression. Accordingly, as ETT decreases to levels ≤ 350 ng/dL, the risk of unfavorable tumor grade decreases, and a more favorable prognosis is expected. Preoperative ETT levels may allow further patient stratification along prognostic risk groups.

Normal preoperative endogenous testosterone levels predict prostate cancer progression in elderly patients after radical prostatectomy

Background

The impact of senior age on prostate cancer (PCa) oncological outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP) is controversial, and further clinical factors could help stratifying risk categories in these patients.

Objective

We tested the association between endogenous testosterone (ET) and risk of PCa progression in elderly patients treated with RP.

Design

Data from PCa patients treated with RP at a single tertiary referral center, between November 2014 and December 2019 with available follow-up, were retrospectively evaluated.

Methods

Preoperative ET (classified as normal if >350 ng/dl) was measured for each patient. Patients were divided according to a cut-off age of 70 years. Unfavorable pathology consisted of International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) grade group >2, seminal vesicle, and pelvic lymph node invasion. Cox regression models tested the association between clinical/pathological tumor features and risk of PCa progression in each age subgroup.

Results

Of 651 included patients, 190 (29.2%) were elderly. Abnormal ET levels were detected in 195 (30.0%) cases. Compared with their younger counterparts, elderly patients were more likely to have pathological ISUP grade group >2 (49.0% versus 63.2%). Disease progression occurred in 108 (16.6%) cases with no statistically significant difference between age subgroups. Among the elderly, clinically progressing patients were more likely to have normal ET levels (77.4% versus 67.9%) and unfavorable tumor grades (90.3% versus 57.9%) than patients who did not progress. In multivariable Cox regression models, normal ET [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.27-8.55; p = 0.014] and pathological ISUP grade group >2 (HR = 5.62; 95% CI = 1.60-19.79; p = 0.007) were independent predictors of PCa progression. On clinical multivariable models, elderly patients were more likely to progress for normal ET levels (HR = 3.42; 95% CI = 1.34-8.70; p = 0.010), independently by belonging to high-risk category. Elderly patients with normal ET progressed more rapidly than those with abnormal ET.

Conclusion

In elderly patients, normal preoperative ET independently predicted PCa progression. Elderly patients with normal ET progressed more rapidly than controls, suggesting that longer exposure time to high-grade tumors could adversely impact sequential cancer mutations, where normal ET is not anymore protective on disease progression.

Preoperative endogenous testosterone density predicts disease progression from localized impalpable prostate cancer presenting with PSA levels elevated up to 10 ng/mL

OBJECTIVE

To investigate endogenous testosterone density (ETD) predicting disease progression from clinically localized impalpable prostate cancer (PCa) presenting with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels elevated up to 10 ng/mL and treated with radical prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a period ranging from November 2014 to December 2019, 805 consecutive PCa patients who were not under androgen blockade had endogenous testosterone (ET, ng/dL) measured before surgery. ETD was evaluated as the ratio of ET on prostate volume (PV). Unfavorable disease was defined as including ISUP ≥ 3 and/or seminal vesicle invasion in the surgical specimen. The risk of disease progression was evaluated by statistical methods.

RESULTS

Overall, the study selected 433 patients, of whom 353 (81.5%) had available follow-up. Unfavorable disease occurred in 46.7% of cases and was predicted by tumor quantitation features that were positively associated with ETD. Disease progression, which occurred for 46 (13%) cases, was independently predicted only by ETD (hazard ratio, HR = 1.037; 95% CI 1.004-1.072; p = 0.030) after adjusting for unfavorable disease. According to a multivariate model, ETD above the third quartile was confirmed to be an independent predictor for PCa progression (HR = 2.479; 95% CI 1.355-4.534; p = 0.003) after adjusting for unfavorable disease. The same ETD measurements, ET mean levels were significantly lower in progressing cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

In this particular subset of patients, increased ETD with low ET levels, indicating androgen independence, resulted in a more aggressive disease with poorer prognosis.

The role of testosterone in men's health: is it time for a new approach?

PURPOSE

Because of many unanswered questions regarding men's health, a literature review was performed to better understand the role of testosterone and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in the management of hypogonadism and aging related prostate gland diseases (ARPGD) including prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

METHODS

The PubMed database was screened for pertinent peer reviewed articles published during the last four decades that culminated in the positions and recommendations in this paper.

RESULTS

Hypogonadism seriously impacts men's health, and the diagnosis remains controversial. The incidence of ARPGD is projected to increase worldwide and treatment still has significant limitations. There is compelling evidence that lower, not higher, testosterone levels trigger the development of PCa and BPH through androgen receptor over-expression. TRT was found to be safe and effective in treating hypogonadism including in PCa survivors and those harboring PCa. There is also evidence that TRT might reduce the incidence and prevalence of ARPGD.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This review synthesizes a wide-ranging compendium of basic science and clinical research that strongly encourages altering the present approach to diagnosing and treating men with hypogonadism and ARPGD. These findings underscore the importance of avoiding significant testosterone decline and support the use of TRT. Ten recommendations are offered as a framework for the way forward. It is now time for clinicians, payers, researchers, funding agencies, professional associations, and patient advocacy groups to embrace this new paradigm to increase longevity and improve the quality of life.

Low serum total testosterone level as a predictor of upgrading in low-risk prostate cancer patients after radical prostatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

To investigated the association between serum total testosterone and Gleason score upgrading of low-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials and Methods

Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify eligible studies published before October 2021. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random or fixed effects models.

Results

Five studies comprising 1,203 low-risk prostate cancer patients were included. The results showed that low serum total testosterone (<300 ng/dL) is associated with a high rate of Gleason score upgrading after RP (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.38–3.83; p<0.001; I², 92.2%). Notably, sensitivity and meta-regression analyses further strengthen the reliability of our results.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea that low serum total testosterone is associated with a high rate of Gleason score upgrading in prostate cancer patients after RP. It is beneficial for urologist to ensure close monitoring of prostate-specific antigen levels and imaging examination when choosing non-RP treatment for low-risk prostate cancer patients.

Patients with Positive Lymph Nodes after Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymphadenectomy—Do We Know the Proper Way of Management?

Simple Summary

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent malignancy in the male population worldwide. Men with a nodal invasion established after radical prostatectomy with lymph node dissection are a heterogeneous group of patients who require more thorough stratification and therapy individualization, which remain uncovered by current guidelines. Considering a multitude of prognostic factors and novel diagnostic techniques, classifying patients into narrower and more specified risk groups should be a vital part of lymph node positive PCa management in the future.

Abstract

Lymph node invasion in prostate cancer is a significant prognostic factor indicating worse prognosis. While it significantly affects both survival rates and recurrence, proper management remains a controversial and unsolved issue. The thorough evaluation of risk factors associated with nodal involvement, such as lymph node density or extracapsular extension, is crucial to establish the potential expansion of the disease and to substratify patients clinically. There are multiple strategies that may be employed for patients with positive lymph nodes. Nowadays, therapeutic methods are generally based on observation, radiotherapy, and androgen deprivation therapy. However, the current guidelines are incoherent in terms of the most effective management approach. Future management strategies are expected to make use of novel diagnostic tools and therapies, such as photodynamic therapy or diagnostic imaging with prostate-specific membrane antigen. Nevertheless, this heterogeneous group of men remains a great therapeutic concern, and both the clarification of the guidelines and the optimal substratification of patients are required.

Endogenous testosterone density is an independent predictor of pelvic lymph node invasion in high-risk prostate cancer: results in 201 consecutive patients treated with radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection

Objective

To evaluate the influence of endogenous testosterone density (ETD) on pelvic lymph node invasion (PLNI) in high risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and staged with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND).

Materials and methods

ETD was evaluated as the ratio of endogenous testosterone (ET) on prostate volume (PV). HR-PCa was assessed according to the European Association of Urology (EAU) system. The association of ETD and other routinely clinical factors (BPC: percentage of biopsy positive cores; PSA: prostate specific antigen; ISUP: tumor grade system according to the International Society of Urologic Pathology; cT: tumor clinical stage) with the risk of PLNI was assessed by the logistic regression model.

Results

Overall, 201 out of 805 patients (24.9%) were classified HR and PLNI occurred in 42 subjects (20.9%). On multivariate analysis, PLNI was independently predicted by BPC (OR 1.020; 95% CI 1.006–1.035; p = 0.019), ISUP > 3 (OR 2.621; 95% CI 1.170–5.869; p = 0.019) and ETD (OR 0.932; 95% CI 0.870–0.999; p = 0.045). After categorizing continuous clinical predictors, the risk of PLNI was independently increased by ETD up to the median (OR 2.379; 95% CI 1.134–4.991; p = 0.022), BPC > 50% (OR 3.125; 95% CI 1.520–6.425; p = 0.002) as well as by ISUP > 3 (OR 2.219; 95% CI 1.031–4.776; p = 0.042).

Conclusions

As ETD measurements decreased, patients were more likely to have PLNI. In HR disease with PLNI, the influence of PCa on ETD should be addressed by higher level studies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11255-022-03103-w.