The interplay of sex steroid hormones and microRNAs in endometrial cancer: current understanding and future directions

Sex and gender differences in cancer pathogenesis and pharmacology

Sex and gender may influence the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prognosis of cancer. This narrative review describes sex and gender differences in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cancer, and how such differences may impact the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of cancer treatment. For most types of cancer unrelated to reproductive function, incidence is higher in males than in females, except for gallbladder and thyroid cancers, which are much more common in women. Cancer mortality is higher in men than women; women account for a larger proportion of survivors. These differences may be related to biological differences in pathogenesis or differences in behaviors relating to cancer risk or detection. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cancer therapies also differ between sexes due to differences in body composition, physiology, and receptor expression. Overall, sex and gender are essential variables to be considered in research and clinical practice, influencing diagnosis, subtyping (biomarkers), prognostication, treatment, and dosage.

Plasma miRNAs in polycystic ovary syndrome drive endometrial cancer progression: insights into molecular pathways and therapeutic targets

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a known risk factor for uterine endometrial cancer (UCEC), but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could provide insights into these mechanisms and reveal potential therapeutic targets. Differential miRNA expression was analyzed in plasma exosomes from 15 PCOS and 15 control samples. Survival analysis assessed the prognostic value of these miRNAs in UCEC. MiRNA-target gene interaction networks and gene co-expression analyses were used to explore molecular mechanisms. Validation was performed using experimental data from Ishikawa cells treated with six candidate drugs. Among the 15 differentially expressed miRNAs, 12 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated in PCOS. Twelve of these miRNAs were associated with UCEC overall survival, with miR-142, miR-424, and miR-331 acting as protective factors, while the remaining 9 miRNAs were identified as risk factors. MiRNA-target network highlighted key genes such as PHF8, LCOR, SFT2D3, E2F1, and ESR1, which were found to be prognostic for patient survival. Further gene expression and co-expression analyses based on miR-424 and miR-330 expression revealed significant alterations in gene expression and cellular processes related to UCEC. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis identified potential causal relationships between AURKA gene expression and PCOS or UCEC. Testosterone and estradiol might have adverse roles in UCEC, while drugs like troglitazone, valproic acid, retinoic acid, and progesterone demonstrated various effects on gene expression and cellular processes. Our findings suggest that aberrant miRNA expression, particularly miR-330 and miR-424, may play crucial roles in UCEC progression. The identified miRNAs and candidate drugs may serve as potential therapeutic targets for UCEC, but further research is required to validate and explore their clinical applications.

Phosphocholine inhibits proliferation and reduces stemness of endometrial cancer cells by downregulating mTOR-c-Myc signaling

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) represents a serious health concern among women globally. Excessive activation of the protooncogene c-Myc (c-Myc) is associated with the proliferation and stemness of EC cells. Phosphocholine (PC), which is synthesized by choline kinase alpha (CHKA) catalysis, is upregulated in EC tumor tissues. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of PC accumulation on EC cells and clarify the relationship between PC accumulation and c-Myc activity in EC.

METHODS

The c-Myc and CHKA expression in EC tumor tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, BrdU staining, and tumorsphere formation assay were used to assess the effect of PC accumulation on EC cells. The mechanism by which PC accumulation inhibits c-Myc was evaluated using RNA-sequencing. Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models were utilised to explore the preclinical efficacy of PC against EC cells.

RESULTS

PC accumulation suppressed EC cell proliferation and stemness by inhibiting the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-c-Myc signaling. PC accumulation promoted excessive reactive oxygen species production, which reduced the expression of GTPase HRAS. This, in turn, inhibited the mTOR-c-Myc axis and induced EC cell apoptosis. Finally, PC impeded proliferation and downregulated the expression of the mTOR-MYC signaling in EC PDO models.

CONCLUSIONS

PC accumulation impairs the proliferation ability and stem cell characteristics of EC cells by inhibiting the activated mTOR-c-Myc axis, potentially offering a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of EC clinical therapy through the promotion of PC accumulation in tumor cells.

Antitumor progestins activity: Cytostatic effect and immune response

Progestins are used to treat some hormone-sensitive tumors. This review discusses the mechanisms of progestins' effects on tumor cells, the differences in the effects of progesterone and its analogs on different tumor types, and the influence of progestins on the antitumor immune response. Progestins cause a cytostatic effect, but at the same time they can suppress the antitumor immune response, and this can promote the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Such progestins as dienogest, megestrol acetate and levonorgestrel increase the activity of NK-cells, which play a major role in the body's fight against tumor cells. The use of existing progestins and the development of new drugs with gestagenic activity may hold promise in oncotherapy.

GGTLC1 knockdown inhibits the progression of endometrial cancer by regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

Purpose

Endometrial cancer (EC) poses a serious risk to females worldwide; thus, a deep understanding of EC is urgently required. The role and mechanisms of gamma-glutamyltransferase light chain 1 (GGTLC1) in EC remain obscure. This study aims to elucidate the function and mechanisms underlying GGTLC1's involvement in EC.

Methods

Bioinformatic tools and databases were used to analyze GGTLC1 and its associated gene expression in EC tissues. Functional enrichment explorations and immune infiltration analyses were conducted, together with investigation into the methylation status of GGTLC1. Western blotting and Quantitative real-time PCR quantified expression levels. Additional experimental methodologies elucidated the role of GGTLC1 in EC progression. Transcriptome sequencing identified potential regulatory pathways for GGTLC1, and tumor growth was evaluated in vivo using HEC-1A cells in nude mice.

Results

GGTLC1 was upregulated and negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration and DNA methylation in EC. Cell migration and proliferation were reduced following GGTLC1 knockdown, together with arrest at the G0/G1 phase and an upsurge in apoptosis. Compared to the knockdown group, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway was up-regulated in the negative control group of EC cells by transcriptome analysis. The levels of TGF-β, pSmad2, and pSmad3 followed the same decreasing trend, whereas Smad3 and Smad2 protein levels remained unchanged.

Conclusion

Knockdown of GGTLC1 attenuates EC development through the TGF-β/Smad pathway, positioning GGTLC1 as a promising target for EC treatment.

Matrix metalloproteinase‑1 and microRNA‑486‑5p in urinary exosomes can be used to detect early lung cancer: A preliminary report

The present study describes a novel molecular-genetic method suitable for lung cancer (LC) screening in the work-place and at community health centers. Using urinary-isolated exosomes from 35 patients with LC and 40 healthy volunteers, the expression ratio of MMP-1/CD63, and the relative expression levels of both microRNA (miRNA)-21 and miRNA-486-5p were measured. MMP-1/CD63 expression ratio was significantly higher in patients with LC than in the healthy controls {1.342 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.890-1.974] vs. 0.600 (0.490-0.900); P<0.0001}. The relative expression of miRNA-486-5p in male healthy controls was significantly different from that in female healthy controls, whereas there was no significant difference in miRNA-21. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of MMP-1/CD63 showed 92.5% sensitivity and 54.3% specificity, whereas miRNA-486-5p showed 85% sensitivity and 70.8% specificity for men, and 70.0% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity for women. The logistic regression model used to evaluate the association of LC with the combination of MMP-1/CD63 and miRNA-486-5p revealed that the area under the ROC curve was 0.954 (95% CI: 0.908-1.000), and the model had 89% sensitivity and 88% specificity after adjusting for age, sex and smoking status. These data suggested that the combined analysis of MMP-1/CD63 and miRNA-486-5p in urinary exosomes may be used to detect patients with early-stage LC in the work-place and at community health centers, although confirmational studies are warranted.

Role of microRNA in Sex Steroid Hormones Signaling and Its Effect in Regulation of Endometrial, Ovarian, and Cervical Cancer: A Literature Review

Worldwide, in 2020, an estimated 417,367 people were diagnosed with uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer accounts for more than 90% of all uterine cancers. The 15th most frequent cancer overall and the sixth most frequent cancer in women is endometrial cancer. Global ovarian cancer Incidence was diagnosed estimated at 313,959 new cases worldwide in 2020. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide. It has been demonstrated that sex steroid hormones (SSHs) have an essential role in regulating the susceptibility of cancer to cytotoxic therapy. Dysregulation of DNA repair contributes to genomic instability, aberrant cell survival, and cancer development as well as therapy resistance. Several crucial DNA repair components have been discovered to interact with the three main SSHs: androgen, estrogen, and progesterone. MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation has been associated with aberrant sex steroid hormone signaling as well as an increased risk of endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancer. The expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors is modulated by a number of miRNAs, and it has been demonstrated that the miRNA expression profile may predict the way a patient would respond to hormone therapy. Additionally, particular miRNAs have been linked to the control of genes involved in signaling pathways connected to hormones. Recent research has shown that miRNAs can modify hormone signaling pathways and affect the expression of sex steroid hormone receptors. Our goal in this literature review is to present an overview of current knowledge regarding the role of miRNAs in cancers regulated by sex steroid hormone pathways, as well as to identify particular miRNA targets for hormonal therapy.