Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of common mechanisms between endometriosis and ovarian cancer

  • Gonadal physiology and disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To determine common molecular markers between endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

Methods

Patients included women who underwent laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometriotic lesions (n = 7), healthy non-pregnant women with normal pelvises, who underwent excision of normal peritoneum (n = 7). Two epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell lines were also utilized. Expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), estrogen receptor (ER)-1α, progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), and aromatase was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR.

Results

Endometriosis and EOC cells manifested significantly higher mRNA levels of TGF-β1, COX-2, VEGF, ER-1α, AR, and aromatase, while they expressed significantly lower mRNA levels of PR.

Conclusions

Increased TGF-β1, COX-2, VEGF, ER-1α, AR, and aromatase and decreased PR in endometriotic as well as EOC cells suggests a potential association between these two disease processes. This association is important, as it may reveal common mechanisms for both diseases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Diamond M, Osteen K. Adhesion development after endometriosis surgery. Endometrium and Endometriosis: Wiley-Blackwell; 1997

  2. Hammoud A, Gago LA, Diamond MP. Adhesions in patients with chronic pelvic pain: a role for adhesiolysis? Fertil Steril. 2004;82(6):1483–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Diamond M, Osteen K. Hormonal (non-danazol and non-GnRH) modulation of endometriosis. Endometrium and Endometriosis: Blackwell Sciences; 1997

  4. Diamond MP, DeCherney AH. Nafarelin for treatment of endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 1988;319(8):519–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Schenken R. Endometriosis. 1989

  6. Hulka BS. Links between hormone replacement therapy and neoplasia. Fertil Steril. 1994;62(6 Suppl 2):168S–75.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kempers RD, Dockerty MB, Hunt AB, Symmonds RE. Significant postmenopausal endometriosis. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1960;111:348–56.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rattanachaiyanont M, Tanmahasamut P, Angsuwatthana S, Techatraisak K, Inthawiwat S, Leerasiri P. Hormonal replacement therapy in surgical menopause with underlying endometriosis. J Med Assoc Thai. 2003;86(8):702–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Barbieri RL. Etiology and epidemiology of endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;162(2):565–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Deval B, Rafii A, Felce Dachez M, Kermanash R, Levardon M. Sigmoid endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;187(6):1723–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Djursing H, Petersen K, Weberg E. Symptomatic postmenopausal endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1981;60(5):529–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Habuchi T, Okagaki T, Miyakawa M. Endometriosis of bladder after menopause. J Urol. 1991;145(2):361–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kurioka H, Takahashi K, Okada M, Ozaki T, Miyazaki K, Maruyama R, et al. A case of postmenopausal endometriosis unrelated to neoplasm. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 1999;44(3):160–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Punnonen R, Klemi PJ, Nikkanen V. Postmenopausal endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1980;11(3):195–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Toki T, Horiuchi A, Li SF, Nakayama K, Silverberg SG, Fujii S. Proliferative activity of postmenopausal endometriosis: a histopathologic and immunocytochemical study. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1996;15(1):45–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Vorstman B, Lynne C, Politano VA. Postmenopausal vesical endometriosis. Urology. 1983;22(5):540–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Stern RC, Dash R, Bentley RC, Snyder MJ, Haney AF, Robboy SJ. Malignancy in endometriosis: frequency and comparison of ovarian and extraovarian types. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2001;20(2):133–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Purdie DM, Bain CJ, Siskind V, Russell P, Hacker NF, Ward BG, et al. Hormone replacement therapy and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer. 1999;81(3):559–63. PMCID: 2362907.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Oxholm D, Knudsen UB, Kryger-Baggesen N, Ravn P. Postmenopausal endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007:1–7

  20. Reimnitz C, Brand E, Nieberg RK, Hacker NF. Malignancy arising in endometriosis associated with unopposed estrogen replacement. Obstet Gynecol. 1988;71(3 Pt 2):444–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Riman T, Dickman PW, Nilsson S, Correia N, Nordlinder H, Magnusson CM, et al. Hormone replacement therapy and the risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer in Swedish women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002;94(7):497–504.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Bell DA. Origins and molecular pathology of ovarian cancer. Mod Pathol. 2005;18 Suppl 2:S19–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Carlson JA, Ambros R, Malfetano J, Ross J, Grabowski R, Lamb P, et al. Vulvar lichen sclerosus and squamous cell carcinoma: a cohort, case control, and investigational study with historical perspective; implications for chronic inflammation and sclerosis in the development of neoplasia. Hum Pathol. 1998;29(9):932–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Correa P. Helicobacter pylori as a pathogen and carcinogen. J Physiol Pharmacol. 1997;48 Suppl 4:19–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Deeb ZE, Fox LA, deFries HO. The association of chronic inflammatory disease in lichen planus with cancer of the oral cavity. Am J Otolaryngol. 1989;10(5):314–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Hayashi PH, Zeldis JB. Molecular biology of viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Compr Ther. 1993;19(5):188–96.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hogg RP, Ayshford C, Watkinson JC. Parotid duct carcinoma arising in bilateral chronic sialadenitis. J Laryngol Otol. 1999;113(7):686–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ness RB, Cottreau C. Possible role of ovarian epithelial inflammation in ovarian cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1999;91(17):1459–67.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Risch HA, Howe GR. Pelvic inflammatory disease and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 1995;4(5):447–51.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rosin MP, Anwar WA, Ward AJ. Inflammation, chromosomal instability, and cancer: the schistosomiasis model. Cancer Res. 1994;54(7 Suppl):1929s–33.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Shacter E, Weitzman SA. Chronic inflammation and cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). 2002;16(2):217–26. 29; discussion 30–2.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Society TAF. Revised American fertility society classification of endometriosis: 1985. Fertil Steril. 1985;43(3):351–2.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Noyes RW, Hertig AT, Rock J. Dating the endometrial biopsy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1975;122(2):262–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Severi FM, Bocchi C, Florio P, Cobellis L, Ignacchiti E, Petraglia F. Transvaginal ultrasonography in women receiving emergency contraception. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(5):1074–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Brinton LA, Lamb EJ, Moghissi KS, Scoccia B, Althuis MD, Mabie JE, et al. Ovarian cancer risk associated with varying causes of infertility. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(2):405–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ness RB, Cramer DW, Goodman MT, Kjaer SK, Mallin K, Mosgaard BJ, et al. Infertility, fertility drugs, and ovarian cancer: a pooled analysis of case-control studies. Am J Epidemiol. 2002;155(3):217–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Sampson J. Endometrial carcinoma of the ovary, arising in endometrial tissue in that organ. Arch Surg. 1925;10(1):1–72.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Diamond M, Osteen K. Malignant transformation of endometriosis. Endometrium and Endometriosis: Blackwell Science; 1997

  39. Mostoufizadeh M, Scully RE. Malignant tumors arising in endometriosis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1980;23(3):951–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Seidman JD. Prognostic importance of hyperplasia and atypia in endometriosis. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1996;15(1):1–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Swiersz LM. Role of endometriosis in cancer and tumor development. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2002;955:281–92. discussion 93–5, 396–406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Brinton LA, Gridley G, Persson I, Baron J, Bergqvist A. Cancer risk after a hospital discharge diagnosis of endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1997;176(3):572–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Vercellini P, Parazzini F, Bolis G, Carinelli S, Dindelli M, Vendola N, et al. Endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993;169(1):181–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Duczman L, Ballweg M. Endometriosis and cancer: what is the connection?; 1999 Contract No.: Document Number|

  45. Ness RB, Modugno F. Endometriosis as a model for inflammation-hormone interactions in ovarian and breast cancers. Eur J Cancer. 2006;42(6):691–703.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Grivennikov SI, Greten FR, Karin M. Immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Cell. 2010;140(6):883–99. PMCID: 2866629.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Boocock CA, Charnock-Jones DS, Sharkey AM, McLaren J, Barker PJ, Wright KA, et al. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors flt and KDR in ovarian carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995;87(7):506–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Ness RB. Endometriosis and ovarian cancer: thoughts on shared pathophysiology. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189(1):280–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Munkarah AR, Ali-Fehmi R, Jiang JZ, Elhammady E, Malone Jr JM, Saed GM. The effects of combining docetaxel and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on proliferation and apoptosis in epithelial ovarian cancer. Anticancer Drugs. 2007;18(8):889–96.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Munkarah AR, Morris R, Baumann P, Deppe G, Malone J, Diamond MP, et al. Effects of prostaglandin E(2) on proliferation and apoptosis of epithelial ovarian cancer cells. J Soc Gynecol Investig. 2002;9(3):168–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Heaps JM, Nieberg RK, Berek JS. Malignant neoplasms arising in endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol. 1990;75(6):1023–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Helzlsouer KJ, Alberg AJ, Gordon GB, Longcope C, Bush TL, Hoffman SC, et al. Serum gonadotropins and steroid hormones and the development of ovarian cancer. JAMA. 1995;274(24):1926–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Schildkraut JM, Schwingl PJ, Bastos E, Evanoff A, Hughes C. Epithelial ovarian cancer risk among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;88(4 Pt 1):554–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Cottreau CM, Ness RB, Modugno F, Allen GO, Goodman MT. Endometriosis and its treatment with danazol or lupron in relation to ovarian cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2003;9(14):5142–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Carrell D. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: integrating modern clinical and laboratory practices: Springer; 2010

  56. Balkwill F, Mantovani A. Inflammation and cancer: back to Virchow? Lancet. 2001;357(9255):539–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Zhang J, Hampton AL, Nie G, Salamonsen LA. Progesterone inhibits activation of latent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 by membrane-type 1 MMP: enzymes coordinately expressed in human endometrium. Biol Reprod. 2000;62(1):85–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Kashyap S, Davis OK. Ovarian cancer and fertility medications: a critical appraisal. Semin Reprod Med. 2003;21(1):65–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Moen MH, Schei B. Epidemiology of endometriosis in a Norwegian county. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1997;76(6):559–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qianfo Shan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Qingsong Meng

  2. Department of Surgery, Qingdao University School of Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Weixue Sun

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 275 E. Hancock, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    John Jiang, Nicole M. Fletcher, Michael P. Diamond & Ghassan M. Saed

Authors
  1. Qingsong Meng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Weixue Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nicole M. Fletcher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Michael P. Diamond
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ghassan M. Saed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ghassan M. Saed.

Additional information

Capsule

The observations of higher mRNA levels of TGF-β, COX-2, VEGF, ER-α1, AR, and aromatase in endometriosis and ovarian cancer samples supports an association between them.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meng, Q., Sun, W., Jiang, J. et al. Identification of common mechanisms between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 917–923 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9573-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9573-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation