Low-serum testosterone and high-chromogranin A are associated with high-grade prostate cancer and higher pathological stages of the disease.

[pjoshea13]

New Italian study below [1].

Low-serum testosterone [T] was defined as < 300 ng/dL.

High chromogranin A [CgA] was defined as > 80 ng/ml.

High-grade PCa was defined as Gleason score 4+3 to 10, (rather than the usual 8-10).

***

Low T was found in 80% of high-grade cases (versus 12.6%).

High CgA was found in 72% of high-grade cases (versus 28.1%).

"The principal findings of this investigation were that low testosterone is correlated with elevated CgA levels, and these two parameters are associated with more aggressive grades and higher pathological stages of prostatic adenocarcinoma."

Odd to see CgA being thought useful for newly diagnosed men.

Yet another study that found low T to be a PCa risk factor.

-Patrick

[1] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/312...

Ann Ital Chir. 2019 Jun 10;8. pii: S0003469X19030173. [Epub ahead of print]

Low-serum testosterone and high-chromogranin A are associated with high-grade prostate cancer and higher pathological stages of the disease.

Izzo L, Cardi A, Pugliese F, Izzo S, Izzo P.

Abstractin English, Italian

INTRODUCTION:

CgA and testosterone are two serum markers that may be involved in prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of testosterone and CgA to grades and stages of prostate cancer, particularly whether low-serum testosterone and high-serum CgA are associated with more aggressive grades, and higher pathological stages of the disease.

METHODS:

This perspective study included 121 men (Caucasian only) presenting with -newly-diagnosed, untreated prostate cancer. All the patients underwent radical prostatectomy.

RESULTS:

We subdivided the sample into two homogeneous groups, Group A with Gleason score ≤7 (3+4), and Group B with Gleason score ≥7 (4+3). Low testosterone (< 3 ng/ml) was most common among the members of Group B 80 % versus 12.6 % of Group A (p = 0.001). At the same time, elevated CgA (> 80 ng/ml) was present for a rate of 72 % in Group B, 28.1% in the Group A ( p = 0.001). The multivariate analysis we used revealed that low-serum testosterone and high-serum CgA are associated with higher pathological stages of the disease (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

The principal findings of this investigation were that low testosterone is correlated with elevated CgA levels, and these two parameters are associated with more aggressive grades and higher pathological stages of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

KEY WORDS:

Chromogranin A, Prostate cancer, Risk factor for prostate cancer, Testosterone.

PMID: 31203267

[6357axbz]

Patrick, are the T levels here those at Dx, prior to any ADT or other cancer meds?

[pjoshea13 in reply to 6357axbz]

At Dx.

Interestingly, Patrick Walsh reported that T levels are higher (than at Dx) 12 months after prostatectomy. The cancer itself seems able to bring T levels down.

-Patrick

[SeosamhM in reply to pjoshea13]

The monster that is PCa reveals yet another tentacle. I would be more fascinated if this wasn't so immediately personal. Thanks for another great post, PJ.