Androgens and Prostate Cancer: In Memoram of Professor Shutsung Liao (1931–2014)

Dear Colleagues,

Prof. Dr. Shutsung Liao, born 1 January, 1931 in Tainan, Taiwan, was a pioneer in understanding the biochemistry of male hormones and their receptors and how they influenced the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). He earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in agricultural chemistry from National Taiwan University, then he got his PhD at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Il (USA). He built his entire career at the Ben May Institute of Cancer Research of the University of Chicago: In fact, in 1960, he was asked to stay on as a Research Associate by Dr. Charles Huggins, director of the Ben May Institute and winner of the Nobel Prize in 1966. Prof. Shutsung Liao retired on 2013, when he was Professor Emeritus at the same institution.

His major influence in the scientific community was on the mechanism of action of androgens and the role of androgens in the growth and function of the normal and malignant prostate. In 1968, he showed that testosterone is metabolized to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5α-reductase in target cells, that DHT is selectively retained by a protein in target cell nuclei, and that anti-androgens decrease the binding of DHT in nuclei. The new discovery was the basis for the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors (Finasteride) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (Proscar) and baldness (Propecia), both developed by one of his students, at Merck. He characterized the DHT-binding protein now known as the androgen receptor (AR). He also discovered several prostate proteins that are regulated by androgens in both a positive and a negative manner (for example, Clusterin, CLU). His laboratory was responsible for the first cloning and sequencing of both rat and human AR in 1988. He and others showed that many cases of androgen insensitivity (including pseudohermaphroditism) are due to mutations in AR. He also showed that PCa cells might have a mutated AR, which can alter the response to hormonal therapies, and that PCa patients have high circulating levels of autoantibodies to AR and 5α-reductase. Additionally, he discovered and cloned a new member of the nuclear receptor superfamily named Liver X receptor (LXR) beta, and he found that natural products, such as green tea catechins, inhibit androgen signaling and are useful in a clinical setting, including the uses of Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) for treatment of PCa. His laboratory developed an important cell culture and xenograft model of PCa progression for the identification of the major steps responsible for progression to androgen-independency in PCa, and he found that testosterone can repress the growth of androgen-independent PCa. Clinical studies using testosterone for the treatment of androgen-independent PCa are now being performed in several major medical schools.   

Molecules is pleased to announce a Special Issue honoring Shutsung Liao for his outstanding achievements in understanding the biochemistry of male hormones and their receptors, and how androgens influence the development and progression of prostate cancer.

This Special Issue is dedicated to all aspects of androgen action (testosterone and DHT) and metabolism in the prostate (5α-reductase), the steps driven by androgens toward prostate cancer progression, the use of androgen antagonist for treatment of prostate cancer, as well as the biological activity, the biochemistry, the mechanism of action, and the metabolism of green tea catechins, and particularly EGCG, in prostate tissue. 

It is a pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue; regular articles, communications, as well as reviews are all welcome.

Special Statement: This Issue and collection of articles are dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Shutsung Liao, who unfortunately passed away in 2014. He was among the founding fathers of steroid action, and responsible for many important developments in the field. For almost 50 years, Liao’s laboratory was a beacon that guided researchers through the complexity of androgen action. He was calm, patient, frugal, respectful, and always polite. His simple teaching to the young researches was “be creative, not competitive”. We learned so much from him, and it will never be possible to express the full extent of our gratitude to him for that.

The following articles are a celebration of Liao's great efforts. May he rest in peace.

Prof. Dr. Saverio Bettuzzi
Guest Editor

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