Molecular links between endometriosis and cancer

Joël Pollacco, Joel Pollacco, Keith Sacco, Mark Portelli, Pierre Schembri-Wismayer, Jean Calleja-Agius, Jean Calleja‐Agius
Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology · 2012 · vol. 28(8) , pp. 577–581 · doi:10.3109/09513590.2011.650761 · PMID:22309646 · W2111767118
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Endometriosis shares molecular features with cancer, including apoptosis evasion and stem cell-like properties, with mutations in tumor-suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes contributing to malignant transformation.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is the leading cause of morbidity among premenopausal women affecting about 1 in 10 females. The features shared by endometriosis and cancer include the ability to evade apoptosis, the stem cell-like ability and angiogenic potential. As such characteristics are encoded by the cell's genetic constitution, acquired mutations are responsible for the malignant transformation of endometriosis. Indeed, a number of tumour-suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes, such as protein 53 (P53) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) respectively, are mutated and as a result differentially expressed between endometriotic and malignant tissue associated with endometriosis. Moreover, cytokines and macrophages, both of which are inflammatory mediators have been implicated in the transformation process. The angiogenic properties possessed by cancer arising from endometriosis signifies a bad prognosis, while the stem cell-like activity possessed by both endometriosis and cancer has been attributed to the effect of oestrogen. A number of differences between endometriosis and cancer are found at the molecular level. Considering the link between these two pathologies, the three components which fuel the malignant transformation of endometriosis can be embodied in the endometriosis-induced carcinoma (EIC) triangle which shows the intricate relationship between endocrinologic, immunologic and genetic components.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Carcinoma, Endometrioid Endometrial Neoplasms Endometriosis Endometrium Animals Apoptosis Carcinoma, Endometrioid Carcinoma, Endometrioid Carcinoma, Endometrioid Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cytokines Cytokines Endometrial Neoplasms Endometrial Neoplasms Endometrial Neoplasms Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium

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References (65)

Cited by (28)

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