Page 7 - The DHEA Debate - Life Extensions Magazine

Current research also shows that DHEA, like calorie restriction, reduces the inducible
generation of nitric oxide, which is yet another way of reducing cancer risk.65 On the gene level,
DHEA’s anticancer activity includes a reduction in levels of the mutant gene p53.66 Moreover,
aging and cancer are associated with the dysregulation of cytokine production in which IL-6
predominates over IL-2. It is known that IL-2 has powerful anticancer activity, and IL-2 injection
is presently used in Europe with various stages of cancer. Since optimizing DHEA has been
shown to significantly increase IL-2 and normalize cytokine balance, maintaining optimal levels
of DHEA appears to be an effective cancer-preventive strategy.
Indeed, animal studies have supported this idea for over 25 years, where DHEA administration
has reduced the risk of cancer of the liver, adrenals, pancreas, breast, lung, thyroid, colon, skin,
and lymphatic tissue.67-75
In all, there is compelling genomic, biochemical, and biological evidence supporting the ability of
DHEA to reduce cancer risk. But perhaps you have data from human trials showing that DHEA
somehow stimulates cancer growth.
Naysayer: DHEA has been shown to cause liver cancer in mice.

Stephen Cherniske: Yes, there is a study in which mice were given a massive dose of DHEA—
the human equivalent of 10,000 mg per day. And even then, this dose had to be administered
continuously for at least 18 months (the human equivalent of 76 years) before they could induce
cancer in these poor animals.76
Do you really think that this is relevant, considering that studies using a lower dose (the human
equivalent of 2,000 mg per day) did not produce cancer,77 and more than 50 rodent studies
show that DHEA reduces cancer risk? Importantly, DHEA administration has reduced cancer
risk in every conceivable model, whether the cancers were spontaneous or induced by a virus
or carcinogenic chemical.78

Naysayer: Well, there are other studies . . .

Stephen Cherniske: Yes, the study at the University of Oregon where DHEA was fed to trout—
an organism that does not even produce DHEA naturally.79 Such data would be useful only if
there were indications that the same thing might occur in humans. But in a review of more than
5,500 studies published on DHEA, not one has shown that DHEA stimulates cancer growth. In
fact, DHEA has been used successfully in the treatment of cancer.80
Look at the recent research conducted by the National Cancer Institute. They created a reliable
animal model for the study of breast cancer and found that DHEA administration significantly
reduced both the incidence and multiplicity of tumors.81 Here’s the quote that appeared in the
Journal of Nutrition (p. 2408S):
“Whenever it has been tested in a model of carcinogenesis and tumor induction, DHEA
has preventative effects.”82
Another animal study from 2001, also conducted by the National Cancer Institute, showed that
DHEA administration reduced breast cancer incidence by 30% and multiplicity by 50%.83 The
following year, NCI published a mode-of-action study explaining how DHEA helps to limit cancer
growth.84
DHEA has even shown powerful anti-cancer activity in mice selectively bred to be highly
susceptible to cancer.85 Researchers have also found the specific genes that confer this
advantage (including p53, DHEA ST, and p21) are upregulated by oral administration of
DHEA.86,87
DHEA may also be effective in reducing risk for colon cancer. Scientists in Japan exposed mice
to a chemical that induces abnormal cellular proliferation in the colon. After this exposure, some