One of the principle mechanisms involves aberrant intracrine signaling due to increased activity of androgen-biosynthesis enzymes, such as the steroidogenic enzyme cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1), allowing prostate cancer cells to utilize dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the adrenal androgen precursor for the synthesis of bioactive dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Here, CYP17A1 is linked to prostate carcinoma.