Endometrial cancer in relation to intra-uterine device use

Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in gynecological disorders: Pathogenic insights and therapeutic implications

This review comprehensively explores the complex role of copper homeostasis in female reproductive system diseases. As an essential trace element, copper plays a crucial role in various biological functions. Its dysregulation is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of gynecological disorders. We investigate how copper impacts these diseases, focusing on aspects like oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, immune function, estrogen levels, and angiogenesis. The review highlights significant changes in copper levels in diseases such as cervical, ovarian, endometrial cancer, and endometriosis, underscoring their potential roles in disease mechanisms and therapeutic exploration. The recent discovery of 'cuproptosis,' a novel cell death mechanism induced by copper ions, offers a fresh molecular perspective in understanding these diseases. The review also examines genes associated with cuproptosis, particularly those related to drug resistance, suggesting new strategies to enhance traditional therapy effectiveness. Additionally, we critically evaluate current therapeutic approaches targeting copper homeostasis, including copper ionophores, chelators, and nanoparticles, emphasizing their emerging potential in gynecological disease treatment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of copper's role in female reproductive health, setting the stage for future research to elucidate its mechanisms and develop targeted therapeutic strategies.

Contraceptive strategies for reducing the risk of reproductive cancers

Reproductive cancers, encompassing various malignancies like endometrial, ovarian, cervical cancer, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, pose a significant global health burden. Understanding their patterns is vital for effective prevention and management. Contraceptives show a protective effect against some of these cancers. This clinical guidance document aims to elucidate the disease burden of reproductive cancers and the evidence supporting contraceptive methods in prevention and management. Regional disparities in incidence and mortality highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, particularly in low-resource settings. Healthcare providers must weigh individual risk profiles and medical eligibility criteria when discussing contraceptive options. Enhanced health literacy through direct patient education is essential for leveraging low-cost behavioral interventions to mitigate reproductive cancer risks.

Study of Serum Copper and Zinc Levels and Serum Cu/Zn Ratio among Polish Women with Endometrial Cancer

BACKGROUND

Micronutrients are important components for the homeostasis of the human body. The studies available in the literature of the subject on their impact on the risk of population diseases, including malignant neoplasms, are ambiguous. In this paper, the relationship between Cu and Zn serum levels and the occurrence of endometrial cancer have been analyzed.

METHODS

306 patients (153 test group and 153 control group) matched for age were analyzed for Cu and Zn levels. Microelements levels were determined for sera collected during the hospitalization of patients by means of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, the Cu/Zn ratio in the population included in the study was analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analyzes were used to examine the relationship between the factors under study and the incidence of endometrial cancer.

RESULTS

Lower levels of elements were observed in the study group compared with the control group (Cu: 959.39 μg/L vs. 1176.42 μg/L, p < 0.001; Zn: 707.05 μg/L vs. 901.67 μg/L, p < 0.001). A statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of endometrial cancer was observed for Cu and Zn. The patients with the lowest Cu level had a significantly higher occurrence of endometrial cancer compared with reference tertile (OR 8.54; p < 0.001). Similarly, compared with the reference tertile, the patients with the lowest Zn levels had a significantly greater incidence of endometrial cancer (OR 15.0; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study suggest an association of endometrial cancer occurrence with lower Cu and Zn serum levels.

Association between intrauterine device use and endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancer: an expert review

The intrauterine device is one of the most effective forms of contraception. Use of the intrauterine device has increased in the United States over the last 2 decades. Two formulations are commercially available in the United States: the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device and the copper intrauterine device. The levonorgestrel intrauterine device releases progestin, causing endometrial suppression and cervical mucus thickening, whereas the primary mechanism of action of the copper intrauterine device is to create a local inflammatory response to prevent fertilization. Whereas the protective effects of combined hormonal contraception against ovarian and endometrial cancer, and of tubal sterilization against ovarian cancer are generally accepted, less is known about the effects of modern intrauterine devices on the development of gynecologic malignancies. The best evidence for a protective effect of intrauterine device use against cancer incidence pertains to levonorgestrel intrauterine devices and endometrial cancer, although studies suggest that both copper intrauterine devices and levonorgestrel intrauterine devices reduce endometrial cancer risk. This is supported by the proposed dual mechanisms of action including both endometrial suppression and a local inflammatory response. Studies on the relationship between intrauterine device use and ovarian cancer risk show conflicting results, although most data suggest reduced risk of ovarian cancer in intrauterine device users. The proposed biological mechanisms of ovarian cancer reduction (foreign-body inflammatory response, increased pH, antiestrogenic effect, ovulation suppression) vary by type of intrauterine device. Whereas it has been well established that use of copper intrauterine devices confers a lower risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasms, the effect of levonorgestrel intrauterine device use on cervical cancer remains unclear. Older studies have linked its use to a higher incidence of cervical dysplasia, but more recent literature has found a decrease in cervical cancer with intrauterine device use. Various mechanisms of protection are postulated, including device-related inflammatory response in the endocervical canal and prostaglandin-mediated immunosurveillance. Overall, the available evidence suggests that both levonorgestrel intrauterine devices and copper intrauterine devices reduce gynecologic cancer risk. Whereas there is support for the reduction of endometrial cancer risk with hormonal and copper intrauterine device use, and reduction of cervical cancer risk with copper intrauterine device use, evidence in support of risk reduction with levonorgestrel intrauterine device use for cervical and ovarian cancers is less consistent.

Assessing the Role of Reversible Contraceptives in the Health Care of Women as it Pertains to Cancer Prevention

The use of effective and reversible contraception is characterized by many non-contraceptive benefits distinct from its ability to prevent pregnancy. Notably, the use of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control methods is known to impact the risk for developing certain female genital cancers as well as breast and colon cancers. We present here the current understanding of the role of effective and reversible contraceptives in the prevention and development of female genital cancers along with breast and colon cancers. Despite ongoing but unsubstantiated concerns regarding the use of hormonal and intrauterine contraceptives for a variety of clinical outcomes including cancer, contraceptive use in high- and low-risk reproductive-aged women remains an important part of cancer risk reduction for many malignancies.

Global trends in use of long-acting reversible and permanent methods of contraception: Seeking a balance

The global trend shows that the use of permanent contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy is high. Although the trend also shows a rise in the use of long-acting reversible methods, these are still underutilized despite having contraceptive as well as non-contraceptive benefits. Lack of knowledge among women, dependence on the provider for information, and provider bias for permanent contraception are cited as reasons for this reduced uptake. Training of healthcare providers and increased patient awareness about the effectiveness of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods will increase their uptake and help prevent unintended pregnancies.

Intrauterine devices and endometrial cancer risk: a pooled analysis of the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium

Intrauterine devices (IUDs), long-acting and reversible contraceptives, induce a number of immunological and biochemical changes in the uterine environment that could affect endometrial cancer (EC) risk. We addressed this relationship through a pooled analysis of data collected in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium. We combined individual-level data from 4 cohort and 14 case-control studies, in total 8,801 EC cases and 15,357 controls. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated pooled odds ratios (pooled-ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for EC risk associated with ever use, type of device, ages at first and last use, duration of use and time since last use, stratified by study and adjusted for confounders. Ever use of IUDs was inversely related to EC risk (pooled-OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.74-0.90). Compared with never use, reduced risk of EC was observed for inert IUDs (pooled-OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.58-0.82), older age at first use (≥ 35 years pooled-OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.43-0.67), older age at last use (≥ 45 years pooled-OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.50-0.72), longer duration of use (≥ 10 years pooled-OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.52-0.71) and recent use (within 1 year of study entry pooled-OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.30-0.49). Future studies are needed to assess the respective roles of detection biases and biologic effects related to foreign body responses in the endometrium, heavier bleeding (and increased clearance of carcinogenic cells) and localized hormonal changes.

Use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices and tubal sterilization and cancer risk in a large prospective study, from 1996 to 2006

The association of contraceptive methods, including oral contraceptives (OC), intrauterine devices (IUD) and tubal sterilization (TS), with overall and site-specific cancer were prospectively investigated in a cohort of 66,661 Chinese women in Shanghai, 76.7% of whom used contraception. During a median follow-up time of 7.5 years, 2,250 women were diagnosed with cancer. Ever-use of any contraceptive method was not associated with overall cancer risk [adjusted hazard ratio (HR(adj)) = 1.02, 95% CI, 0.92-1.12]. Use of any contraceptive method was associated with increased risk of rectal cancer (HR(adj) = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.08-2.62) and reduced risk of thyroid cancer (HR(adj) = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.38-1.04). Risk of gallbladder cancer increased with ever use of OC (HR(adj) = 2.38, 95% CI, 1.26-4.49). IUD use was associated with a possible reduced risk of thyroid cancer (HR(adj) = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.38-1.07). Longer duration of IUD use decreased risk for breast, thyroid and lung cancers. Ever having a TS was associated with increased uterine body cancer (HR(adj) = 2.50, 95% CI, 1.47-4.25) and decreased risk of stomach cancer (HR(adj) = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.39-0.91). We did not find any contraceptive method to be related to the risk of ovarian cancer but the analyses were based on few events. Although chance findings are a likely explanation for some of the associations found in our study, these findings suggest that various contraceptive methods or reproductive patterns may play a role in the etiology of cancer.

Meta-analysis of intrauterine device use and risk of endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

We sought to study the association between intrauterine device (IUD) use and endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of literature published through April 2007 was conducted, studies reviewed, and data abstracted. Data from ten studies were pooled and analyzed using both fixed- and random-effects models to examine the association of ever use of an IUD and endometrial cancer.

RESULTS

Based on the random effects model, a protective crude association between IUD use and endometrial cancer was observed (odds ratio [OR] = 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29-0.51; heterogeneity p < 0.001) with a pooled adjusted risk of OR = 0.54 (95% CI, 0.47-0.63; heterogeneity p = 0.40). A decreased risk of endometrial cancer also was seen for increased years of IUD use (OR for 5 years of use 0.88; 95% CI = 0.84-0.92; n = 5; heterogeneity p = 0.14), increased years since last IUD use (OR for 5 years of use 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.95; n = 4; heterogeneity p = 0.02), and increased years since first IUD use (OR for 5 years of use 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.95; n = 4; heterogeneity p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that nonhormonal IUD use may be associated with a decreased risk for endometrial cancer; however, the exact mechanism for this association is unclear. Future investigations should address the difference in the proposed association by specific type of IUDs.

Neoplasia with use of intrauterine devices

BACKGROUND

One of the mechanisms by which intrauterine devices (IUDs) prevent pregnancy is the creation of a sterile inflammatory response in the endometrium. Additionally, hormone-releasing IUDs or intrauterine systems (IUSs) release progestins or progesterone into the uterus. Both of these mechanisms may affect users' risk for neoplasia.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched the PubMed database for studies on IUD use and risk for neoplasia conducted between 1960 and September 2006 and published in all languages. We excluded case reports and case series. For the association between ever using an IUD and risk for endometrial cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis using a Bayesian random-effects model to account for between-study heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We found no evidence of increased risk for neoplasia with IUD use. Nine case-control studies and one cohort study found reduced risks for endometrial cancer with having ever used an IUD (pooled adjusted odds ratio=0.6, 95% confidence interval=0.4-0.7). No trend in associations was observed with characteristics of IUD use, type of IUD and histologic type of cancer. Four case-control studies found no association between IUD use and risk for cervical cancer. One study found no increased incidence of breast cancer among levonorgestrel-releasing IUS users as compared with the general population in Finland. Finally, three studies found no association between IUD use and occurrence of hydatidiform moles or malignant sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an IUD does not appear to increase the risk for neoplasia. While nearly all studies found that IUD use was associated with a decreased risk for endometrial cancer, it remains unclear whether this association is causal.

Oral contraceptive and IUD use and endometrial cancer: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China

Oral contraceptive (OC) and intrauterine device (IUD) use have been shown to be protective factors for endometrial cancer in several epidemiological studies; however, few studies have been conducted in Chinese populations. We evaluated the association between OC and IUD use and endometrial cancer risk in a population-based case-control study among Chinese women in Shanghai, China. The study included 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 age frequency-matched healthy controls. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). In our study population, 18.5% cases and 24.9% controls reported having ever used OCs with an OR of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.60-0.93), after adjusting for known risk or protective factors for endometrial cancer. The risk of endometrial cancer decreased with long-term use of OCs with the OR for more than 72 months of use being 0.50 (95% CI, 0.30-0.85). The effect of OC use remained 25 or more years after cessation of use; the associated OR was 0.57 (95% CI = 0.42-0.78) as compared to nonusers. Similarly, fewer cases than controls had ever used IUD, with the multivariable adjusted OR being 0.53 (95% CI = 0.43-0.65). A reduction in risk was observed regardless the duration of use or age at first and last use. These results suggest that OC and IUD use may confer long-term protection against endometrial cancer.

Menstrual and reproductive factors in relation to risk of endometrial cancer in Chinese women

Menstrual, reproductive and contraceptive factors have been associated with risk of endometrial cancer in populations where the incidence of this tumor is high. To investigate associations between these factors in a low-risk population with a low prevalence of hormone replacement therapy, we conducted a cohort study among 267,400 women employed in the textile industry in Shanghai, China. Menstrual, reproductive and other factors were ascertained at baseline in 1989-1991, and women were followed for incident endometrial cancer through 31 December 1998 (n = 206). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Risk of endometrial cancer decreased with increasing age at menarche (p-trend = 0.004). Among menopausal women, risk increased with age at menopause and increasing years of menstruation. Compared to women with one live birth, risk was increased in relation to nulliparity (Hazard ratio = 3.95, 95% CI 1.43-10.86). Risk was decreased with increasing age at first live birth (p-trend = 0.03). There was a decreased risk associated with ever use of an intrauterine device (HR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.88) and use of oral contraceptives for > or =2 years (HR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.23-1.07). This prospective study confirms findings from previous case-control studies relating menstrual, reproductive, and contraceptive factors and endometrial carcinoma.

Worldwide human papillomavirus etiology of cervical adenocarcinoma and its cofactors: implications for screening and prevention

BACKGROUND

Most cancers of the uterine cervix are squamous cell carcinomas. Although the incidence of such carcinomas of the uterine cervix has declined over time, that of cervical adenocarcinoma has risen in recent years. The extent to which human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cofactors may explain this differential trend is unclear.

METHODS

We pooled data from eight case-control studies of cervical cancer that were conducted on three continents. A total of 167 case patients with invasive cervical adenocarcinoma (112 with adenocarcinoma and 55 with adenosquamous carcinoma) and 1881 hospital-based control subjects were included. HPV DNA was analyzed in cervical specimens with the GP5+/6+ general primer system followed by type-specific hybridization for 33 HPV genotypes. Blood samples were analyzed for chlamydial and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) serology. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression modeling was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All tests of statistical significance were two-sided.

RESULTS

The adjusted overall odds ratio for cervical adenocarcinoma in HPV-positive women compared with HPV-negative women was 81.3 (95% CI = 42.0 to 157.1). HPV 16 and HPV 18 were the two most commonly detected HPV types in case patients and control subjects. These two types were present in 82% of the patients. Cofactors that showed clear statistically significant positive associations with cervical adenocarcinoma overall and among HPV-positive women included never schooling, poor hygiene, sexual behavior-related variables, long-term use of hormonal contraception, high parity, and HSV-2 seropositivity. Parity had a weaker association with adenocarcinoma and only among HPV-positive women. Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) had a statistically significant inverse association with risk of adenocarcinoma (for ever use of an IUD compared with never use, OR = .41 [95% CI = 0.18 to 0.93]). Smoking and chlamydial seropositivity were not associated with disease.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV appears to be the key risk factor for cervical adenocarcinoma. HPV testing in primary screening using current mixtures of HPV types and HPV vaccination against main HPV types should reduce the incidence of this cancer worldwide.

FFPRHC Guidance (January 2004) The Copper Intrauterine Device as Long-term Contraception

This Guidance provides information for clinicians providing women with copper-bearing intrauterine devices as long-term contraception. A key to the grades of recommendations, based on levels of evidence, is given at the end of this document. Details of the methods used by the Clinical Effectiveness Unit (CEU) in developing this Guidance and evidence tables summarising the research basis of the recommendations are available on the Faculty website (www.ffprhc.org.uk). Abbreviations (in alphabetical order) used include: acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); actinomyces-like organisms (ALOs); automated external defibrillator (AED); blood pressure (BP); British National Formulary (BNF); confidence interval (CI); copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD); emergency contraception (EC); Faculty Aid to Continuing Professional Development Topic (FACT); levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS); human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA); non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); odds ratio (OR); pelvic inflammatory disease (PID); relative risk (RR); Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG); Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN); sexually transmitted infection (STI); termination of pregnancy (TOP); World Health Organization (WHO); WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria (WHOMEC); WHO Selected Practice Recommendations (WHOSPR).

IUD use and the risk of endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Although the intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most widely used forms of contraception throughout the world, its potential long-term effects on the uterus have not been thoroughly evaluated. This paper reports the long-term results of IUD use on the incidence of endometrial cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

The data is part of a nationwide case-control, pilot study that was undertaken in order to evaluate the possible influence of ovulation induction drugs on the risk of endometrial cancer. The study included 128 living women 35-64 years old, with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. The controls were 255 women from the same dialing areas selected by random digit dialing. A multivariate logistic model, controlling for age, was used to assess the independent effects of factors found to be significantly associated with endometrial cancer on univariate analysis.

RESULTS

The following parameters were found to be independently associated with endometrial cancer controlling for age: nulliparity OR=2.7 (95% CI 1.1-6.5, P=0.03); history of infertility OR=1.8 (95% CI 1.0-3.3, P=0.05); BMI>/=27 OR=2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.8, P=0.001). The use of oral contraceptives and IUD were found to be protective; OR=0.29 and 0.37, respectively, (95% CI 0.14-0.61, P=0.001, 0.19-0.70, and 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

IUD use may have a protective effect on endometrial cancer risk. The protective effect of IUD may be either, through the intense inflammatory response that leads to other lisosomal and inflammatory actions, which may include cells responsible for early elimination of hyperplastic endometrial epithelial cells or, the more complete shedding of the endometrium associated with IUD use may decrease hyperplasia of the endometrium, a known risk factor for endometrial carcinoma.

Case-series report: management of post-menopausal bleeding in the presence of an intrauterine device

Post-menopausal bleeding in the presence of prolonged use of an intrauterine device should be investigated with hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling to rule out endometrial pathology. Here, we present two cases of prolonged use of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), both associated with endometrial pathology, to illustrate the importance of these investigations.

Current opinion: consensus statement on intrauterine contraception

Forty-five experts from around the world attended a 1-day seminar in September 2001 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, to identify ways that they might collaborate to overcome unnecessary barriers to the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs). Seminar participants formed working groups that produced at least three specific recommendations relating to: training/performance improvement; service delivery improvement; general public information; and clinical and programmatic research. Key recommendations included: integrating reproductive health knowledge and skills into curricula for all healthcare professionals; reviewing and reinforcing with providers evidence-based guidelines for IUD use; encouraging evidence-based review of the IUD label and package insert; and conducting further research about IUD client eligibility, potential health benefits, acceptability among clients and providers, and use by HIV-infected women. At the meeting's conclusion, a number of participants, representing the fields of research, policy, communications, donors, women's advocacy, and medicine, expressed an interest in refining and acting upon the recommendations. Hosted by Family Health International, the meeting was supported by the Mellon Foundation.

Noncontraceptive health benefits of intrauterine devices: a systematic review

Most women and their clinicians are unaware that IUDs confer important noncontraceptive health benefits. This review summarizes the evidence from published articles on this topic. We conducted a series of systematic literature searches to identify articles on the noncontraceptive health benefits of IUD use. We reviewed the potentially pertinent ones for content, grouped them according to type of IUD, and evaluated them using the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force rating system. Over 500 titles were identified and several hundred abstracts were reviewed. Use of nonhormonal IUDs (plastic and copper) was associated with a decrease in endometrial cancer. The levonorgestrel intrauterine system can treat a variety of gynecological disorders, including menorrhagia and anemia. The levonorgestrel system has also been used successfully as part of hormone replacement therapy, as adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen, and as an alternative to hysterectomy for women with bleeding problems. Like oral contraceptives, intrauterine contraceptives confer important noncontraceptive health benefits.

Intrauterine device and upper-genital-tract infection

Concern about upper-genital-tract infection related to intrauterine devices (IUDs) limits their wider use. In this systematic review I summarise the evidence concerning IUD-associated infection and infertility. Choice of an inappropriate comparison group, overdiagnosis of salpingitis in IUD users, and inability to control for the confounding effects of sexual behaviour have exaggerated the apparent risk. Women with symptomless gonorrhoea or chlamydial infection having an IUD inserted have a higher risk of salpingitis than do uninfected women having an IUD inserted; however, the risk appears similar to that of infected women not having an IUD inserted. A cohort study of HIV-positive women using a copper IUD suggests that there is no significant increase in the risk of complications or viral shedding. Similarly, fair evidence indicates no important effect of IUD use on tubal infertility. Contemporary IUDs rival tubal sterilisation in efficacy and are much safer than previously thought.