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Sex cycle modulates cancer growth
Patricia A Wood1, William J M Hrushesky
1WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 20209, USA.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|May 4, 2005
Summary
Cancer growth in premenopausal women is influenced by the menstrual cycle. Tumor size increases during diestrus and shrinks during proestrus, with faster cycling correlating to slower tumor growth.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
Background:
- The menstrual cycle influences cancer metastatic potential and growth rate in premenopausal women.
- Previous studies support the impact of surgical timing within the menstrual cycle on metastatic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the influence of the menstrual cycle on tumor growth rate.
- To assess the coordination of cancer cell proliferation with the menstrual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Studied transplantable breast cancer in C3HeB/FeJ mice and methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma in CD2F1 mice.
- Measured local cancer size and estrous cycle stage daily.
- Assessed the effect of cycle stage and duration on tumor size.
Main Results:
- Identical estrous cycle coordination of cancer size observed in both tumor types.
- Tumor size increased significantly during diestrus and decreased during proestrus/estrus.
- Faster cycling mice exhibited slower tumor growth rates compared to slower cycling mice.
Conclusions:
- Fertility cycle-related host factors significantly affect cancer size and growth rate.
- Cancer cell proliferation in both breast and non-breast cancers may be coordinated by the menstrual cycle.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting proliferating cancer cells may be most effective during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.