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Wang B, Luo Y, Liu T, Xu S, Pei J, Liu J, Yu J. Assessment of bidirectional relationships between hypothyroidism and endometrial cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1308208. [PMID: 38818502 PMCID: PMC11137162 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1308208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Hypothyroidism, characterized by reduced thyroid hormone levels, and endometrial cancer, a prevalent gynecological malignancy, have been suggested to have a potential association in previous observational studies. However, the causal relationship between them remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between hypothyroidism and endometrial cancer using a bilateral Mendelian randomization approach. Methods A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies to identify genetic variants associated with hypothyroidism and endometrial cancer. The inverse variance weighting method was used as the main analysis, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the MR results. Results The results of our analysis did not support a causal effect of hypothyroidism (OR: 0.93, p=0.08) or autoimmune hypothyroidism (OR: 0.98, p=0.39) on endometrial cancer risk. In the reverse MR analysis, we did not find a significant causal effect of endometrial cancer on hypothyroidism (OR: 0.96, p=0.75) or autoimmune hypothyroidism (OR: 0.92, p=0.50). Based on subgroup analysis by pathological subtypes of endometrial cancer, the above findings were further substantiated (all p-value >0.05). Conclusions Our Mendelian randomization analysis suggests a lack of causal association between hypothyroidism and endometrial cancer. To gain a deeper understanding of this association, it is essential to conduct large-scale randomized controlled trials in the future to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Wang
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuxi Luo
- Department of Radio-immunology and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tianxin Liu
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shengnan Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinli Pei
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Leung JH, Wang SY, Leung HWC, Yu TS, Chan ALF. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism related to gynecologic cancers: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1892. [PMID: 38253698 PMCID: PMC10803809 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the risks of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism related to gynecological cancers. Population-based retrospective cohort study. We conducted a cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to explore hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism associated with site-specific gynecologic cancers in women from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2018. The examined gynecologic cancers included endometrial (EC), uterine corpus cancer (UC), and ovarian cancer (OC). The incidence and hazard ratios were quantified using Cox proportional hazards models. The incidence of developing gynecological (Gyn) cancers in the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid women was 0.29 and 0.44 per 1000 person-years, which was 0.86 fold lower and 1.13 fold higher than that in the comparison cohort (p < 0.001). Compared with patients aged 20-40 years, patients in older age groups had a lower and higher risk of developing Gyn cancers (for hyperthyroid, 40-65 years: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.82; > 65 years: aHR = 0.94; for hypothyroid, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.26; > 65 years: aHR = 1.38). Compared with the non-hypothyroid women and non-hyperthyroid women beyond 6 years of follow-up, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid women showed decreased risk of Gyn cancers. Medication treatment for hyperthyroid and hypothyroid disease did not showed significant association in subgroup analyses (aHR = 0.99 and 0.80, respectively). Our results show that women with hyperthyroidism have a significantly reduced risk of gynecological cancers, whereas women with hypothyroidism have a slightly increased risk of gynecological cancers suggesting an association between thyroid function level and risk of gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hang Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, No. 539, Zhongxiao Road, East Dist., Chiayi, 60002, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Yau Wang
- Department of Radiology, An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, No. 66, Sec. 2, Changhe Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Henry W C Leung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, No. 66, Sec. 2, Changhe Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Teng-Shun Yu
- Management Office for Health Data, Clinical Trial Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, North District, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan
| | - Agnes L F Chan
- Department of Pharmacy, An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, No. 66, Sec. 2, Changhe Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan, 709, Taiwan.
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Deligiorgi MV, Trafalis DT. The Clinical Relevance of Hypothyroidism in Patients with Solid Non-Thyroid Cancer: A Tantalizing Conundrum. J Clin Med 2022; 11:3417. [PMID: 35743483 PMCID: PMC9224934 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypothyroidism in patients with solid non-thyroid cancer is a tantalizing entity, integrating an intriguing thyroid hormones (THs)-cancer association with the complexity of hypothyroidism itself. The present narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical relevance of hypothyroidism in solid non-thyroid cancer. Hypothyroidism in patients with solid non-thyroid cancer is reminiscent of hypothyroidism in the general population, yet also poses distinct challenges due to the dual role of THs in cancer: promoting versus inhibitory. Close collaboration between oncologists and endocrinologists will enable the prompt and personalized diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism in patients with solid non-thyroid cancer. Clinical data indicate that hypothyroidism is a predictor of a decreased or increased risk of solid non-thyroid cancer and is a prognostic factor of favorable or unfavorable prognosis in solid non-thyroid cancer. However, the impact of hypothyroidism with respect to the risk and/or prognosis of solid non-thyroid cancer is not a consistent finding. To harness hypothyroidism, or THs replacement, as a personalized anticancer strategy for solid non-thyroid cancer, four prerequisites need to be fulfilled, namely: (i) deciphering the dual THs actions in cancer; (ii) identifying interventions in THs status and developing agents that block tumor-promoting THs actions and/or mimic anticancer THs actions; (iii) appropriate patient selection; and (iv) counteracting current methodological limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Deligiorgi
- Department of Pharmacology—Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece;
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Njoku K, Barr CE, Crosbie EJ. Current and Emerging Prognostic Biomarkers in Endometrial Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:890908. [PMID: 35530346 PMCID: PMC9072738 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.890908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in high income countries and its incidence is rising. Whilst most women with endometrial cancer are diagnosed with highly curable disease and have good outcomes, a significant minority present with adverse clinico-pathological characteristics that herald a poor prognosis. Prognostic biomarkers that reliably select those at greatest risk of disease recurrence and death can guide management strategies to ensure that patients receive appropriate evidence-based and personalised care. The Cancer Genome Atlas substantially advanced our understanding of the molecular diversity of endometrial cancer and informed the development of simplified, pragmatic and cost-effective classifiers with prognostic implications and potential for clinical translation. Several blood-based biomarkers including proteins, metabolites, circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA and inflammatory parameters have also shown promise for endometrial cancer risk assessment. This review provides an update on the established and emerging prognostic biomarkers in endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelechi Njoku
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Stoller Biomarker Discovery Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Chloe E. Barr
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J. Crosbie
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Emma J. Crosbie,
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Njoku K, Ramchander NC, Wan YL, Barr CE, Crosbie EJ. Pre-treatment inflammatory parameters predict survival from endometrial cancer: A prospective database analysis. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 164:146-153. [PMID: 34802721 PMCID: PMC8802781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Inflammation predisposes to tumorigenesis by damaging DNA, stimulating angiogenesis and potentiating pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic processes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-treatment biomarkers of systemic inflammation are associated with survival outcomes in endometrial cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Women with endometrial cancer were recruited to a prospective database study. Pre-treatment systemic markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), Glasgow Prognostic Score and lymphocyte-based ratios [neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NMR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII)], were analysed in relation to overall, endometrial cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival using Kaplan-Meier estimation and multivariable Cox regression. RESULTS In total, 522 women of mostly White British ethnicity, with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range (IQR), 56, 73) and BMI of 32 kg/m2 (IQR 26, 39) were included in the analysis. Most had low-grade (67.2%), early-stage (85.4% stage I/II), endometrioid (74.5%) tumors. Women with pre-treatment CRP ≥5.5 mg/L had a 68% increase in overall (adjusted HR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.00-2.81, p = 0.049) and a two-fold higher cancer-specific mortality risk than those with CRP <5.5 mg/L (adjusted HR = 2.04, 95%CI 1.03-4.02, p = 0.04). Absolute lymphocyte count, NLR, MLR and SII were associated with adverse clinico-pathologic factors, but not overall, cancer-specific or recurrence-free survival in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION If confirmed in an independent cohort, CRP may offer a simple, low-cost test to refine pre-treatment risk assessment and guide personalised care in endometrial cancer. Our participants were mostly of White British ethnicity and further studies are needed to confirm the utility of CRP as a prognostic biomarker in other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelechi Njoku
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, 5th Floor Research, St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom; Stoller Biomarker Discovery Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Neal C Ramchander
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, 5th Floor Research, St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Y Louise Wan
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, 5th Floor Research, St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Chloe E Barr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J Crosbie
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, 5th Floor Research, St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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