Do low PSA-producing cells still rely on testosterone to grow?

[novatimo]

Am curious to know what the folks here know about this question. If higher PSA cells are driven to near extinction by ADT, and if only low-PSA producing cells survive, are the latter still dependent on testosterone for survival? If not, what do they depend on to grow?

[Tall_Allen]

Most low PSA-subtypes have androgen receptors, although some don't.

[Benkaymel]

I can give you my experience. I have low PSA expressing PCa and during a year of ADT + Xtandi, despite my PSA dropping rapidly and staying below 0.1, my tumours did not shrink but continued to progress. So I'm now off Xtandi and started docetaxel.

[SeosamhM]

It is inaccurate to say that "higher PSA cells are driven to near extinction by ADT" and PSA and testosterone are not directly related. But I think I understand your question. The answer, of course, is "it depends" and "it's complicated":

1. Hormone sensitive: PCa cells can get "backdoor" androgens from the adrenal gland which is not affected by ADT.

2. Castrate resistant: PCa cells can actually produce their own androgen-like compounds in spite of ADT.

Here is a technical paper for your consideration:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[j-o-h-n in reply to SeosamhM]

Geez are we screwed!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 10/24/2023 7:34 PM DST

[SeosamhM in reply to j-o-h-n]

Yap.

youtube.com/watch?v=GBgL5EE...(Not working as expected?)

[j-o-h-n in reply to SeosamhM]

You mean just like that? Geezamacripe (Bon Ap​pe​tit!!)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 10/25/2023 5:47 PM DST

[Derf4223]

Randomly speaking, PSA is not PCa all the time for all people. Biopsies are definitive.