1. [Doping and urologic tumors].
- Author
-
Pinto F, Sacco E, Volpe A, Gardi M, Totaro A, Calarco A, Racioppi M, Gulino G, D'Addessi A, and Bassi PF
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists administration & dosage, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists adverse effects, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists pharmacology, Anabolic Agents administration & dosage, Anabolic Agents pharmacology, Animals, Aromatase Inhibitors administration & dosage, Aromatase Inhibitors adverse effects, Aromatase Inhibitors pharmacology, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic drug effects, Central Nervous System Stimulants administration & dosage, Central Nervous System Stimulants adverse effects, Central Nervous System Stimulants pharmacology, Diuretics administration & dosage, Diuretics adverse effects, Diuretics pharmacology, Drug Synergism, Erythropoietin administration & dosage, Erythropoietin pharmacology, Female, Hormones administration & dosage, Hormones adverse effects, Human Growth Hormone administration & dosage, Human Growth Hormone pharmacology, Humans, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I physiology, Male, Neoplasms, Experimental chemically induced, Risk, Substance-Related Disorders complications, Young Adult, Anabolic Agents adverse effects, Doping in Sports, Erythropoietin adverse effects, Human Growth Hormone adverse effects, Urologic Neoplasms chemically induced
- Abstract
Several substances such as growth hormone (GH), erythropoietin (Epo), and anabolic steroids (AS) are improperly utilized to increase the performance of athletes. Evaluating the potential cancer risk associated with doping agents is difficult since these drugs are often used at very high doses and in combination with other licit or illicit drugs. The GH, via its mediator, the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), is involved in the development and progression of cancer. Animal studies suggested that high levels of GH/IGF-1 increase progression of androgen-independent prostate cancer. Clinical data regarding prostate cancer are mostly based on epidemiological studies or indirect data such as IGF-1 high levels in patients with prostate cancer. Even if experimental studies showed a correlation between Epo and cancer, no clinical data are currently available on cancer development related to Epo as a doping agent. Androgens are involved in prostate carcinogenesis modulating genes that regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Most information on AS is anecdotal (case reports on prostate, kidney and testicular cancers). Prospective epidemiologic studies failed to support the hypothesis that circulating androgens are positively associated with prostate cancer risk. Currently, clinical and epidemiological studies supporting association between doping and urological neoplasias are not available. Nowadays, exposure to doping agents starts more prematurely with a consequent longer exposition period; drugs are often used at very high doses and in combination with other licit or illicit drugs. Due to all these elements it is impossible to predict all the side effects, including cancer; more detailed studies are therefore necessary.
- Published
- 2010