Follicle-stimulating hormone and cancer

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and its receptor (FSHR) are key in reproduction.
• Emerging evidence suggests FSH-FSHR signaling influences cancer development.
• The role of FSHR in cancer is context-dependent and requires detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and grade evidence linking FSH-FSHR signaling to various cancer types.
• To differentiate the roles of tumor-cell FSHR and vascular FSHR.
• To evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting FSHR in cancer.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on FSHR in cancer.
• Categorization of evidence by tumor type.
• Analysis of FSHR expression in tumor cells versus vasculature.
• Evaluation of detection methods, nanomedicine, and imaging approaches.

Main Results:

• FSH-FSHR signaling impacts cancer proliferation, EMT, metabolism, stemness, and metastasis.
• Evidence is strongest for ovarian cancer, with mixed findings in other tumor types.
• Distinguishing tumor-cell FSHR from vascular FSHR is crucial for mechanistic and therapeutic understanding.

Conclusions:

• FSHR plays a complex, context-dependent role in cancer biology.
• Standardization of FSHR detection and clinical validation are essential for therapeutic translation.
• Further research is needed to refine FSHR-targeted nanomedicine, imaging, and safety profiles.