Androgen Signaling in Uterine Diseases: New Insights and New Targets

The role of the Androgen Receptor (AR) in endometrial cancer aggressiveness: Correlation with other prognostic markers and therapeutic implications. A retrospective observational study

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy, with increasing incidence linked to rising risk factors. This retrospective observational study investigates the role of the Androgen Receptor (AR) in EC aggressiveness, its correlation with other prognostic markers, and its potential therapeutic implications. A total of 143 cases of EC treated with hysterectomy were analyzed for AR expression and its association with clinicopathological and molecular markers, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki-67, p53, β-catenin, E-cadherin, Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, and mismatch repair (MMR) status. AR expression was significantly higher in low-grade endometrioid carcinoma (LGEC) compared to high-grade endometrioid carcinoma (HGEC) and other high-risk histologies (p = 0.015), suggesting a role in less aggressive tumor phenotypes. AR strongly correlated with ER and PR (p < 0.0001), indicating shared regulatory pathways. A borderline association with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) suggests a potential role in immune response. However, AR expression did not significantly correlate with markers of proliferation (Ki-67) or tumor suppression (p53), nor with β-catenin, E-cadherin, Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, or MMR status. These findings support AR as a prognostic marker in hormone-responsive EC subtypes and suggest that AR-targeted therapies could be beneficial, particularly in ER/PR-negative tumors. The study highlights the potential integration of AR status into molecular profiling, aiding in personalized treatment strategies for improved patient outcomes in EC management.

Dysregulation of Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) Signalling Pathway by Supraphysiological Dose of Testosterone in Female Sprague Dawley Rats During Development of Endometrial Receptivity

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone on uterine morphology and the regulation of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signalling pathway during endometrial receptivity.

METHODS

In this study, 30 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment groups received subcutaneous injections of 1 mg/kg/day of testosterone from gestational day 1 to day 3, either testosterone alone or in combination with inhibitors (anastrozole, finasteride, or both). A control group of six untreated rats was maintained for comparison. Rats were euthanised on the evening of gestational day 4 to examine uterine morphological changes, gene expression and the distribution of proteins associated with the LIF signalling pathway (LIF, LIFR, JAK1 and STAT3) and MUC1 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that the thickness of the endometrium and myometrium, as well as the number of glands, markedly decreased in all testosterone-treated rats. In addition, the mRNA levels of LIF, LIFR, JAK1 and STAT3 were significantly downregulated in response to supraphysiological testosterone treatment, while the mRNA of MUC1 was significantly upregulated. The IHC results were consistent with the mRNA data and confirmed the changes in protein distribution in all treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A supraphysiological dose of testosterone may impair endometrial receptivity through dysregulation of the LIF signalling pathway, potentially affecting fertility.

The PKM2/HIF-1α Axis is Involved in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis via TGF-β1 under Endometrial Polyps

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis patients exhibit a cancer-like glycolytic phenotype. The pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) axis plays important roles in glycolysis-related diseases, but its role in patients with endometrial polyps (EPs) combined with endometriosis has not been validated.

METHODS

EP samples were collected from patients with and without endometriosis. PKM2, HIF-1α, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) levels were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and/or immunofluorescence. Primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and non-endometriotic patient-derived ESCs (NESCs) were isolated from patients with EP with or without endometriosis. PKM2 loss-of-function assays in ESCs and gain-of-function assays in NESCs were performed to assess the function of PKM2. The effects of PKM2 and TGF-β1 on the promoter activity of HIF-1α were determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

PKM2 was overexpressed in ESCs compared to NESCs. Furthermore, PKM2 knockdown repressed viability, decreased migration and invasion, and restrained glycolysis of ESCs, accompanied by reduced HIF-1α levels and weakened promoter activity of HIF-1α. In addition, PKM2 overexpression had the opposite effect on these indicators in NESCs. Of note, an anti-TGF-β1 Ab reversed the PKM2-overexpression-mediated effects on cell viability, migration, and invasion, but not glycolysis or HIF-1α promoter activity, in NESCs. Additionally, PKM2, HIF-1α, and TGF-β1 levels were higher in EP samples with endometriosis than in EP samples without endometriosis, and there were positive correlations between PKM2, HIF-1α, and TGF-β1 IHC scores in all EP samples.

CONCLUSIONS

PKM2/HIF-1α-axis-dependent glycolysis participates in the pathogenesis of EP combined with endometriosis by mediating TGF-β1 signaling.

The Role of Obesity in the Etiology and Carcinogenesis of Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer, the most common gynecological malignancy, presents a complex public health challenge. While its incidence rises alongside the obesity epidemic, a well-established risk factor for endometrial cancer development, the impact of obesity on survival after diagnosis remains unclear. This review aims to explore the complex relationship between obesity and endometrial cancer's development and survival rates, examining evidence from both epidemiological and clinical studies. It also aims to explore the proposed biological mechanisms by which excess adipose tissue promotes carcinogenesis and contributes to endometrial cancer progression and its negative effects on treatment outcomes. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of body mass index, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and their potential effects on endometrial cancer survival rates.

Causal relationship between female reproductive factors, sex hormones and uterine leiomyoma: a Mendelian randomization study

RESEARCH QUESTION

Are the observed associations between female reproductive factors and sex hormones with the risk of uterine leiomyoma truly causal associations?

DESIGN

The putative causal relationships between female reproductive factors and sex hormones with uterine leiomyoma were investigated using two-sample Mendelian randomization. Statistics on exposure-associated genetic variants were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The uterine leiomyoma GWAS from the FinnGen and FibroGENE consortia were used as outcome data for discovery and replication analyses, respectively. Results were pooled by meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses ensured robustness of the Mendelian randomization analysis.

RESULTS

When FinnGen GWAS were used as outcome data, a causal relationship was found between age at menarche (OR 0.84, P < 0.0001), age at menopause (OR 1.08, P < 0.0001), number of live births (OR 0.25, P < 0.001) and total testosterone levels (OR 0.90, P < 0.001) with the risk of uterine leiomyoma. When FibroGENE GWAS were used as outcome data, Mendelian randomization results for age at menopause, the number of live births and total testosterone levels were replicated. In the meta-analysis, a later age at menopause (OR 1.08, P < 0.0001) was associated with an increased risk of uterine leiomyoma. A higher number of live births (OR 0.25, P < 0.0001) and higher total testosterone levels (OR 0.90, P < 0.0001) were associated with a decreased risk of uterine leiomyoma.

CONCLUSIONS

A causal relationship between later age at menopause, lower number of live births and lower total testosterone levels with increased risk of uterine leiomyoma was found.

Cyclical endometrial repair and regeneration: Molecular mechanisms, diseases, and therapeutic interventions

The endometrium is a unique human tissue with an extraordinary ability to undergo a hormone-regulated cycle encompassing shedding, bleeding, scarless repair, and regeneration throughout the female reproductive cycle. The cyclical repair and regeneration of the endometrium manifest as changes in endometrial epithelialization, glandular regeneration, and vascularization. The mechanisms encompass inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolytic system balance. However, specific conditions such as endometriosis or TCRA treatment can disrupt the process of cyclical endometrial repair and regeneration. There is uncertainty about traditional clinical treatments' efficacy and side effects, and finding new therapeutic interventions is essential. Researchers have made substantial progress in the perspective of regenerative medicine toward maintaining cyclical endometrial repair and regeneration in recent years. Such progress encompasses the integration of biomaterials, tissue-engineered scaffolds, stem cell therapies, and 3D printing. This review analyzes the mechanisms, diseases, and interventions associated with cyclical endometrial repair and regeneration. The review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the regenerative interventions currently employed in clinical practice. Additionally, it highlights the significant advantages of regenerative medicine in this domain. Finally, we review stem cells and biologics among the available interventions in regenerative medicine, providing insights into future therapeutic strategies.

Androgen signalling in the ovaries and endometrium

Currently, our understanding of hormonal regulation within the female reproductive system is largely based on our knowledge of estrogen and progesterone signalling. However, while the important functions of androgens in male physiology are well known, it is also recognized that androgens play critical roles in the female reproductive system. Further, androgen signalling is altered in a variety of gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, indicative of regulatory roles in endometrial and ovarian function. Co-regulatory mechanisms exist between different androgens, estrogens, and progesterone, resulting in a complex network of steroid hormone interactions. Evidence from animal knockout studies, in vitro experiments, and human data indicate that androgen receptor expression is cell-specific and menstrual cycle stage-dependent, with important regulatory roles in the menstrual cycle, endometrial biology, and follicular development in the ovaries. This review will discuss the expression and co-regulatory interactions of androgen receptors, highlighting the complexity of the androgen signalling pathway in the endometrium and ovaries, and the synthesis of androgens from additional alternative pathways previously disregarded as male-specific. Moreover, it will illustrate the challenges faced when studying androgens in female biology, and the need for a more in-depth, integrative view of androgen metabolism and signalling in the female reproductive system.

Circulating adrenal 11-oxygenated androgens are associated with clinical outcome in endometrial cancer

Context

Recent evidence support that androgens play an important role in the etiology of endometrial cancer (EC). Adrenal-derived 11-oxygenated androgens are highly potent agonists of the androgen receptor (AR), comparable to testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that have not been studied in the context of EC.

Methodology

We studied a cohort of 272 newly diagnosed postmenopausal EC cases undergoing surgical treatment. Circulating concentrations of seven 11-oxygenated androgens including precursors, potent androgens and their metabolites were established in serum samples collected before and 1 month after surgery using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS). Free (unconjugated) and total (free + sulfate and glucuronide conjugates following enzymatic hydrolysis) were analyzed in relation to clinicopathological features, recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

Levels of 11-oxygenated androgens were weakly correlated to those of canonical androgens such as testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), with no evidence of their association with clinicopathological features. Levels of 11-oxygenated androgens declined after surgery but remained higher in overweight and obese compared to normal weight cases. Higher levels of preoperative free 11-ketoandrosterone (11KAST) were associated with an increased risk of recurrence (Hazard ratio (HR) of 2.99 (95%CI=1.09-8.18); P=0.03). Postoperative free 11β-hydroxyandrosterone (11OHAST) levels were adversely associated with recurrence and DFS (HR = 3.23 (1.11-9.40); P=0.03 and 3.27 (1.34-8.00); P=0.009, respectively).

Conclusion

11-oxygenated androgen metabolites emerge as potential prognostic markers of EC.

What Role do Androgens Play in Endometrial Cancer?

The role of estrogens and progesterone in the development and progression of endometrial cancer is well-established, but there are very little data about the role of androgens. There are five different androgens produced in women: dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A₄), testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The most potent hormones are T and DHT, the latter being mainly produced from T in peripheral tissues, including endometrium. Although they are considered to exert antiproliferative effects in many settings and the expression of their receptors is more often associated with a good prognosis in EC, it is still unknown in which specific settings androgens have carcinogenic or protective effects in EC.