Applying mass spectrometric methods to study androgen biosynthesis and metabolism in prostate cancer

摘要: Recent development of gas chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS) has provided novel tools to define sex steroid concentrations. These new methods overcome several the problems associated with immunoassays for steroids. With MS-based applications we are now able measure small concentrations hormones reliably high accuracy in both body fluids tissue homogenates. The sensitivity tandem assays allows us also first time picomolar or even femtomolar estrogens androgens. Furthermore, due a specificity MS technology, low interest presence pharmacological concentration other steroids structurally closely related compounds. Both these features essential multiple preclinical models prostate cancer. valuable simultaneous measurement their metabolites sample volumes serum biopsies cancer patients before after drug interventions. As result, information about hormone synthesis metabolic pathways been obtained. In our recent studies, have extensively applied GC-MS/MS method study androgen biosynthesis metabolism VCaP xenografts mice. present review, shortly summarize some benefits LC-MS/MS assays, provide examples use defining mechanisms action