Association of Combined Estrogen-Progestogen and Progestogen-Only Contraceptives with the Development of Cancer

HPV and Cervical Cancer: Molecular and Immunological Aspects, Epidemiology and Effect of Vaccination in Latin American Women

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and remains a significant public health concern, particularly in Latin American regions. This comprehensive narrative review addresses the relationship between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, focusing on Latin American women. It explores molecular and immunological aspects of HPV infection, its role in cervical cancer development, and the epidemiology in this region, highlighting the prevalence and diversity of HPV genotypes. The impact of vaccination initiatives on cervical cancer rates in Latin America is critically evaluated. The advent of HPV vaccines has presented a significant tool in combating the burden of this malignancy, with notable successes observed in various countries, the latter due to their impact on immune responses. The review synthesizes current knowledge, emphasizes the importance of continued research and strategies for cervical cancer prevention, and underscores the need for ongoing efforts in this field.

Host-microbiota interactions and oncogenesis: Crosstalk and its implications in etiology

A number of articles have discussed the potential of microbiota in oncogenesis. Several of these have evaluated the modulation of microbiota and its influence on cancer development. Even in recent past, a plethora of studies have gathered in order to understand the difference in microbiota population among different cancer and normal individuals. Although in majority of studies, microbiota mediated oncogenesis has been primarily attributed to the inflammatory mechanisms, there are several other ways through which microbiota can influence oncogenesis. These relatively less discussed aspects including the hormonal modulation through estrobolome and endobolome, production of cyclomodulins, and lateral gene transfer need more attention of scientific community. We prepared this article to discuss the role of microbiota in oncogenesis in order to provide concise information on these relatively less discussed microbiota mediated oncogenesis mechanisms.

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

Introduction

Endometrial cancer is a hormone-dependent malignancy, and sex steroid hormones play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the expression of sex steroid hormone receptors and modulate hormone signaling pathways. Our aim is to provide an overview of the current understanding of the role of miRNAs in endometrial cancer regulated by sex steroid hormone pathways.

Methods

A thorough literature search was carried out in the PubMed database. The articles published from 2018 to the present were included. Keywords related to miRNAs, endometrial cancer, and sex steroid hormones were used in the search.

Results

Dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to abnormal sex steroid hormone signaling and the development of endometrial cancer. Various miRNAs have been identified as modulators of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, and the miRNA expression profile has been shown to be a predictor of response to hormone therapy. Additionally, specific miRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of genes involved in hormone-related signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways.

Conclusion

The regulation of sex steroid hormones by miRNAs is a promising area of research in endometrial cancer. Future studies should focus on elucidating the functional roles of specific miRNAs in sex steroid hormone signaling and identifying novel miRNA targets for hormone therapy in endometrial cancer management.

Sex and Gender Differences in Lung Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Two highly prevalent pulmonary diseases, lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), show both sex and gender differences in their presentations and outcomes. Sex differences are defined as biological differences associated with the male vs female genotype, and gender differences are defined as behavioral or social differences that primarily arise because of gender identity. The incidence of both lung cancer and COPD has increased dramatically in women over the past 50 years, and both are associated with chronic pulmonary inflammation. Development of COPD is also a risk factor for lung cancer. In this review, the main differences in lung cancer and COPD biology observed between men and women will be summarized. Potential causative factors will be discussed, including the role of estrogen in promoting pro-growth and inflammatory phenotypes which may contribute to development of both lung cancer and COPD. Response of the innate and adaptive immune system to estrogen is a likely factor in the biology of both lung cancer and COPD. Estrogen available from synthesis by reproductive organs as well as local pulmonary estrogen synthesis may be involved in activating estrogen receptors expressed by multiple cell types in the lung. Estrogenic actions, although more pronounced in women, may also have importance in the biology of lung cancer and COPD in men. Effects of estrogen are also timing and context dependent; the multiple cell types that mediate estrogen action in the lungs may confer both positive and negative effects on disease processes.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy and Risk of Thyroid Cancer in Women: A Meta-Epidemiological Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Objectives

Many experimental studies have reported that female sex hormones involve thyroid cancer development because the incidence rate of thyroid cancer in women (TCW) is 3 times higher than in men. Three previous systematic reviews reporting no association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and TCW risk had the same search year of 2014. The aim was to reevaluate the association between HRT use and TCW risk using a meta-epidemiological study of prospective cohort studies.

Methods

The study preferentially used all studies selected by the existing systematic reviews and then secured an additional cohort from the list citing the studies. The selection criterion was defined as the prospective cohort study assessing the association between HRT and TCW risk by adjusted relative risk and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) from multivariate analysis. A random-effects model meta-analysis was applied to estimate summary relative risk (sRR) and its 95% CI. A publication bias was evaluated by Egger’s test; moreover, the statistical significance level was set at 5%.

Results

Nine cohort studies were finally selected. The random-effect model was applied because of heterogeneity (I² = 64.3%). The sRR and its 95% CI from a random-effects model meta-analysis had no statistical significance in the association between HRT and TCW risk (sRR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.98–1.26). Additionally, Egger’s test revealed no statistical significance (P = 0.91).

Conclusions

HRT is not associated with TCW risk based on the random-effects model meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies published until now.

Hormonally Active Contraceptives, Part II: Sociological, Environmental, and Economic Impact

To investigate the sociological, environmental, and economic impact of hormonally active contraceptives, a series of comprehensive literature surveys were employed. Sociological effects are discussed including abortion, exploitation of women, a weakening of marriage, and an increase in divorce with deleterious effects on children such as child poverty, poorer health, lower educational achievement, suicide risks, drug and alcohol abuse, criminality, and incarceration, among others. The environmental impact is discussed briefly and includes the feminization and trans-gendering of male fish downstream from the effluent of city wastewater treatment plants with declining fish populations. The potential economic impact of most of these side effects is estimated based on epidemiologic data and published estimates of costs of caring for the diseases which are linked to the use of hormonally active contraceptives. Hormonally active contraceptives appear to have a deleterious impact on multiple aspects of women's health as well as negative economic and environmental impacts. These risks can be avoided through the use of nonhormonal methods and need to be more clearly conveyed to the public.

SUMMARY

Hormonal contraceptives have wide-ranging effects.  The potential economic impact of the medical side effects is estimated. Sociological effects are discussed including abortion, exploitation of women, a weakening of marriage and an increase in divorce with negative effects on children such as child poverty, poorer health, lower educational achievement, suicide risks, drug and alcohol abuse, criminality and incarceration among others. The environmental impact includes hormonal effects on fish with declining fish populations. Women seeking birth control have a right to know about how to avoid these risks by using effective hormone-free methods like Fertility Awareness Methods.

Hormonally Active Contraceptives Part I: Risks Acknowledged and Unacknowledged

Hormonal contraceptives have been on the market for over fifty years and, while their formulations have changed, the basic mechanism of action has remained the same. During this time, numerous studies have been performed documenting side effects, some of which appear over time, some within weeks or months, but all can have a serious impact on health and quality of life. An effort was made to perform a series of comprehensive literature surveys to better understand immediate and long-term side effects of these agents. The results of this literature review uncovered a number of potential side effects, some of which are acknowledged and many of which are not noted in the prescribing information for these agents. Among the unacknowledged side effects are: an increased risk of HIV transmission for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), and for combination contraceptives breast cancer, cervical cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, depression, mood disorders and suicides (especially among women twenty-five years of age and younger, in the first six months of use), multiple sclerosis, interstitial cystitis, female sexual dysfunction, osteoporotic bone fractures (especially for progesterone-only contraceptives), and fatty weight gain. Misleading prescribing information regarding cardiovascular and thrombotic risks are also noted. Women seeking birth control have a right to be informed and educated about risk avoidance through the use of effective nonhormonal methods like fertility awareness methods. In one case-that of DMPA-the increased risk of HIV acquisition has been conclusively demonstrated to be both real and unique to this drug. Considering the availability of numerous alternatives, there is no justification for the continued marketing of DMPA to the public.

SUMMARY

We reviewed the effect of hormonal contraceptives on women's health. A number of potential side effects were noted including increased risks of breast cancer, cervical cancer, inflammatory bowel  disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, cystitis, bone fractures, depression, mood disorders and suicides,  fatty weight gain, and female sexual dysfunction.  With the long-acting injectable contraceptives there is an increased risk of getting HIV.  Misleading prescribing information regarding the risks of heart attacks, strokes and blood clotting problems were also noted. Women seeking birth control have a right to know about how to avoid these risks by using effective hormone-free Fertility Awareness Methods.