Androgen Quantitation in Prostate Cancer Tissue Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Prostate cancer that recurs after androgen deprivation therapy is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in North American men. Clinical and experimental evidences indicate that the development of recurrent prostate cancer is dependent on re-activation of the androgen receptor signaling pathway. Androgen is required for androgen receptor translocation to the nucleus, interaction with androgen response elements, expression of target genes, and prostate cancer cell proliferation. The intra-tissue and serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels are important biomarkers to monitor androgen deprivation therapy efficacy in prostate cancer and recurrent prostate cancer. We have measured testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in procured recurrent prostate cancer specimens using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The measured androgen levels are sufficient to activate androgen receptor and suggest that the recurrent prostate cancer microenvironment is capable of intracrine androgen biosynthesis.