Male origin microchimerism and ovarian cancer

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

BACKGROUND: Reduced risk of ovarian cancer is commonly ascribed to reduced exposure to endogenous hormones during pregnancy, using oral contraceptives or not using hormone replacement therapy. However, exposure to hormones alone account for less than half of all cases. Many women carry small amounts of male cells-known as male origin microchimerism-in their circulation and remarkable impacts of these cells on women's health are being published. Here, we pursue the possibility that male origin microchimerism has a role in reducing ovarian cancer risk.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-cohort study using blood samples and questionnaire data from 700 women participating in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort. Blood samples were analysed for Y chromosome presence as a marker of male microchimerism. We evaluated the association between male microchimerism and ovarian cancer, using weighted Cox regression models reporting hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: Male microchimerism was detected in 46% of cases and 65.9% of controls. Women testing positive for male microchimerism had a reduced hazard rate of ovarian cancer compared with women testing negative (HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29-0.68). We found no evidence of interaction with measures of hormonal exposures (P = 0.50).

CONCLUSIONS: For the first time we report that women who test positive for male microchimerism in their circulation have reduced rates of ovarian cancer compared with women who test negative. Although the underlying mechanisms are presently unknown, we believe male microchimerism is potent in preventing ovarian cancer.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftInternational Journal of Epidemiology
Vol/bind50
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)87-94
Antal sider8
ISSN0300-5771
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2021

Bibliografisk note

© The Author(s) 2020; all rights reserved. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association.

ID: 236660487