Intracrinology: its impact on prostate cancer

The prostate synthesizes androgens from dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate and contains all the enzymes required to synthesize dihydrotestosterone from these precursors. About 50% of the androgens that stimulate prostate cancer are produced in the prostate; therefore, besides blocking the testes, combination therapy to block dihydrotestosterone's interaction with androgen receptors is essential.