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Gene-environment interaction in prostate cancer

Principal investigator; Giwercman, Yvonne, Associate Professor, PhD

Clinical speciality:

Phone: ++4640391103

Co-workers: Leon Brokken (PhD)

The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of sex steroid action on the aetiology and pathogenesis of prostate cancer.
Male infertility is a strong protective factor in relation to prostate cancer risk, probably because of insufficient testicular function. How humans respond to disturbances in the hormonal regulation differs between individuals so that some individuals are susceptible or in contrary, more resistant, to adverse effects than others, indicating that genetic factors also play a role in prostate malignancy, progression and response to treatment.

We specifically scrutinize:
- the association between male fertility and prostate cancer risk;
- the ability to improve diagnostic tools ;
- polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene to the risk and progression of prostate cancer.
- the interference of endocrine disrupters on androgen and estrogen action.

Knowledge about genetic variants that are associated with disease risk and progression can be implemented in screening programs and preventive strategies. This knowledge can also be used in the selection of patients who because of an aggressive form of the disease should be offered a more extensive therapy than those with a more modest variant.
The project will also enlighten the effects of common pollutants and life style factors on prostate function.

Link to project homepage: http://www.med.lu.se/english/klinvetmalmo/reproductive_medicine/molecular_genetic_reproductive_med

5 recent original publications

Björk C, Nenonen H, Giwercman A, Bergman Å, Rylander L and Lundberg Giwercman Y.
Persistent organic pollutants have dose and CAG length dependent effects on androgen receptor activity in vitro
Reproductive toxicology . 2011; 32: 293-297

Ruhayel MD Yasir, Giwercman Aleksander, Ulmert David, Rylander Lars, Bjartell Anders, Manjer Jonas, Berglund Göran, Giwercman Yvonne
Male infertility and prostate cancer risk: a nested case-control study.
Cancer causes & control : CCC. 2010; Jul 1: 1635-1543

Lundin KB, Giwercman A, Dizeyi N and Giwercman YL.
Functional in vitro characterisation of the androgen receptor GGN polymorphism.
Mol Cell Endocrinol . 2007; 264: 184-187

Tiido T, Rignell-Hydbom A, Jonsson BA, Rylander L, Giwercman A and Giwercman YL.
Modifying effect of the AR gene trinucleotide repeats and SNPs in the AHR and AHRR genes on the association between persistent organohalogen pollutant exposure and human sperm Y:X ratio
Mol Hum Reprod . 2007; 13: 223-229

Giwercman YL, Kleist KE, Giwercman A, Giwercman C, Toft G, Bonde JP and Pedersen HS.
Remarkably low incidence of hypospadias in Greenland despite high exposure to endocrine disrupters; possible protective effect of androgen receptor genotype.
Pharmacogenetics and Genomics. 2006; 16: 375-377

Further publications here (new window)

Financing/year