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Relationship of Serum Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate to the Risk of Developing Postmenopausal Breast Cancer¹

Oncology Center [G. B. G., K. J. H.] and Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences [G. B. G.], The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Departments of Epidemiology [T. L. B., K. J. H., G. W. C.] and Health Policy and Management [S. R. M.], The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205

Dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are endogenous steroids that are produced in the adrenal cortex. A number of studies have suggested that circulating levels of these hormones are related in some way to the risk of developing breast cancer. We measured serum levels of these steroids in 30 postmenopausal women who donated blood in 1974 for a community-based serum bank and who subsequently, at least 9 years later, developed breast cancer and in 59 matched controls from the same group of volunteers. Significantly elevated serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone were found among cases prior to diagnosis compared to controls; serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were slightly increased among cases. In controls, current cigarette use was associated with increased serum levels of these steroids, and levels of both steroids decreased with age.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS Grants CA 36390 and PO1 CA44530 from the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society Grant SIG-3. G. G. is a recipient of a W. M. Keck Foundation Clinician Scientist Award from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205.

Received 12/14/89. Revised 3/ 9/90.

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