Prospective role of 3 beta HSD1 in prostate cancer precision medicine

Background: Prostate cancer is addicted to androgens. The steroidogenic enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (3 beta HSD1) recognizes pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and steroidal medicine abiraterone as substrates to accelerate disease progression.Methods: References for this review were identified through searches of PubMed with the search terms "prostate cancer ", "HSD3B1 ", and "3bHSD1 " from 1990 until June, 2022.Results: Genotype of 3 beta HSD1 has been reported to correlate with tumor aggressiveness of advanced prostate cancer in multiple clinical scenarios. The ethnic differences and limitations of using 3 beta HSD1 genotype as a prognostic biomarker have been discussed here. The activity of 3 beta HSD1 increases in patients treated with abiraterone and enzalutamide, giving rise to treatment resistance. Further elucidation of 3 beta HSD1 regulatory mechanisms will shed light on more approaches for disease intervention. We also review the recent advance on 3 beta HSD1 inhibitors and targeting 3 beta HSD1 for prostate cancer management. Novel 3 beta HSD1 inhibitors will be needed to provide additional options for prostate cancer management.Conclusion: 3 beta HSD1 is both a predictive biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for prostate cancer.