Fecal steroid 21-dehydroxylase, a potential marker for colorectal cancer

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 78; no. 8; p. 469
• Main Authors: Bokkenheuser, V D, Winter, J, Mosenthal, A C, Mosbach, E H, McSherry, C K, Ayengar, N K, Andrews, A W, Lebherz, 3rd, W B, Pienta, R J, Wallenstein, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1983
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Animals; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Child, Preschool; Colonic Neoplasms - metabolism; Colonic Neoplasms - microbiology; Cricetinae; Desoxycorticosterone - analogs & derivatives; Desoxycorticosterone - analysis; Feces - analysis; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Polyps - microbiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mutagenicity Tests; New York; Pregnanolone - analysis; Rectal Neoplasms - metabolism; Rectal Neoplasms - microbiology; Risk; South Africa; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase - analysis; Steroid Hydroxylases - analysis
• ISSN: 0002-9270
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1983.tb01905.x

Eubacterium lentum and phenotypically similar organisms synthesize a steroid 21-dehydroxylase which converts biliary tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone to pregnanolone. Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, in contrast to pregnanolone, is carcinogenic for hamster embryonic cells (HECT test). In patients with recently diagnosed, untreated sigmoidal or rectal cancer the fecal concentration of 21-dehydroxylating organisms is reduced by more than 99% as compared with age-matched controls. The lack of fecal 21-dehydroxylating organisms, therefore, is a potential marker for the disorder. The role of steroid 21-dehydroxylase in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is unknown.