The influence of quantitative alterations of steroid hormones on energy metabolism of prostate tumors

Abstract

Quantitative changes of steroid hormones in prostate tumor tissues and their influence on energy metabolism represents a critical factor in cancer progression and development of hormone-resistant malignant tumor. All distinguishing features of cancer must be one way or other related to specific metabolism that is characteristic to tumor cells. The aim of the work was to study the influence of the alterations in steroid hormone levels on key processes of energy metabolism in the tumor tissues of men with prostate tumors. Based on the data obtained from our research, it can be concluded that: i) A significant change in the amount of steroid hormones in tumor tissue of men with prostate adenocarcinoma have a considerable influence on the unique metabolic mechanisms characteristic to prostate cancer which contributes to the progression and aggressiveness of the tumor; and ii) A significant alteration in energy metabolism of prostate cancer was also established, which revealed through the activation of oxidative phosphorylation in case of benign tumor. It can therefore be implicated that in parallel to the progression of the disease, malignant prostate cells switch again to the increased glycolysis (activation of glycolytic pathway).