In a groundbreaking study from QIMR Berghofer, Associate Professors Tracy O’Mara and Dylan Glubb have discovered a potential role for testosterone in the development of endometrial cancer.
This discovery opens up promising avenues for new treatment options beyond the often invasive hysterectomy, which is currently the primary treatment approach.
The Importance
Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer among Australian women and is on the rise. Existing treatments are limited, and the need for alternative therapies is pressing.
This research brings to light the possible role of hormone therapies in treating the condition, focusing on the influence of testosterone levels.
The Study Details
The researchers carried out advanced genetic analyses to identify independent risk factors for endometrial cancer, which include body weight, age at the onset of menstruation and menopause, and notably, levels of testosterone.
Their work discovered that a specific region of the human genome is linked to higher levels of testosterone and increased risk for endometrial cancer.
What It Means
“Everyone has testosterone, but our research suggests that women with higher levels of the hormone are at greater risk of developing endometrial cancer,” said A/Prof O’Mara, the senior author of the study.
The research points to the possibility of treating endometrial cancer by targeting or inhibiting testosterone using existing drugs.
This is crucial because the current first-line treatment—a hysterectomy—is highly invasive and impacts fertility in younger patients.
Next Steps
The team plans to use lab-grown organoids resembling endometrial cancer tumors to explore the genes involved in the development of the disease.
“Our ultimate goal is finding new genes which can be targeted to treat endometrial cancer, as we know drugs with a genetic basis are more likely to be effective,” added Glubb.
Summary
This study presents significant implications for the screening, prevention, and treatment of endometrial cancer.
By establishing a link between testosterone levels and the risk of developing the disease, it opens up new avenues for treatment options, including potential drug repurposing.
It also signals a hope for less invasive and more effective treatments for women affected by this increasingly prevalent cancer.
Given that endometrial cancer is a rising concern and current treatment options are limited, these findings offer a beacon of hope for better, more targeted therapies.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that artificial sweeteners are linked to higher cancer risk, and how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and results showing vitamin D supplements strongly reduces cancer death.
The study was published in iScience.
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