Male origin microchimerism and ovarian cancer
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Male origin microchimerism and ovarian cancer. / Hallum, Sara; Jakobsen, Marianne Antonius; Gerds, Thomas Alexander; Pinborg, Anja; Tjønneland, Anne; Kamper-Jørgensen, Mads.
I: International Journal of Epidemiology, Bind 50, Nr. 1, 2021, s. 87-94.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Male origin microchimerism and ovarian cancer
AU - Hallum, Sara
AU - Jakobsen, Marianne Antonius
AU - Gerds, Thomas Alexander
AU - Pinborg, Anja
AU - Tjønneland, Anne
AU - Kamper-Jørgensen, Mads
N1 - © The Author(s) 2020; all rights reserved. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1093/ije/dyaa019
DO - 10.1093/ije/dyaa019
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 32065627
VL - 50
SP - 87
EP - 94
JO - International Journal of Epidemiology
JF - International Journal of Epidemiology
SN - 0300-5771
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 236660487