Androgen Receptor (AR) Gene (CAG)n and (GGN)n Length Polymorphisms and Symptoms in Young Males With Long-Lasting Adverse Effects After Finasteride Use Against Androgenic Alopecia

Sabina Cauci, PhD; Giovanni Chiriacò, MD; Erika Cecchin, MS; Giuseppe Toffoli, MD; Serena Xodo, MD; Giuseppe Stinco, MD; Carlo Trombetta, MD

doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2016.11.001

Sexual Medicine (Mar 2017)

Androgen Receptor (AR) Gene (CAG)n and (GGN)n Length Polymorphisms and Symptoms in Young Males With Long-Lasting Adverse Effects After Finasteride Use Against Androgenic Alopecia

Sabina Cauci, PhD,
Giovanni Chiriacò, MD,
Erika Cecchin, MS,
Giuseppe Toffoli, MD,
Serena Xodo, MD,
Giuseppe Stinco, MD,
Carlo Trombetta, MD

Affiliations

Sabina Cauci, PhD: Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
Giovanni Chiriacò, MD: Urological Hospital Department, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Erika Cecchin, MS: Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Italy
Giuseppe Toffoli, MD: Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Italy
Serena Xodo, MD: Hospital Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
Giuseppe Stinco, MD: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Udine, Dermatology Clinic, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
Carlo Trombetta, MD: Urological Hospital Department, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2016.11.001
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. e61 – e71

Abstract

Read online

Introduction: Long-term adverse symptoms of men who used oral finasteride against androgenic alopecia have been recently described as post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). Aim: To determine whether (CAG)n-rs4045402 and (GGN)n-rs3138869 polymorphisms in the androgen receptor (AR) gene are implicated in PFS. Methods: AR polymorphisms were studied according to PFS symptoms in 66 white participants (31.8% Italian, 28.8% American, and 39.4% other). Main Outcome Measures: Symptoms were investigated by an ad hoc 100-item questionnaire and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale and Aging Male Symptom Scale (AMS). (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeats were categorized as short ([CAG]9–19, [GGN]23). Results: Median age was 32 years, duration of finasteride use was 360 days, and time from finasteride discontinuation was 1,053 days. We observed several frequency differences in symptoms according to (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeat numbers. Three AMS items were worse for medium (GGN)23 than for long (GGN)>23 carriers and one item was worse for short (GGN)2 kg), increased skin dryness, and onset of symptoms after finasteride use. Conclusion: This study showed that short and/or long (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeats had different frequencies according to symptoms reported by patients with PFS, likely reflecting the vast array of genes modulated by the AR. This study showed a U-curvilinear profile of (CAG)n repeats for skin dryness symptoms, where the two extremes exhibited a worse condition than medium repeats. Further studies are necessary to investigate the PFS pathophysiology using a precision medicine approach.

Published in Sexual Medicine

ISSN: 2050-1161 (Online)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://academic.oup.com/smoa

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords