The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting approximately 10% of middle-aged women worldwide. It is characterized by hirsutism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Various factors, including environmental toxins, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance,...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1578470/full |
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| author | Dongning Wu Dongning Wu Dongning Wu Yue Zhang Congying Wu Bo An Bo An Xin Wang Jinxia Ni Min Chen |
| author_facet | Dongning Wu Dongning Wu Dongning Wu Yue Zhang Congying Wu Bo An Bo An Xin Wang Jinxia Ni Min Chen |
| author_sort | Dongning Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting approximately 10% of middle-aged women worldwide. It is characterized by hirsutism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Various factors, including environmental toxins, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, contribute to the progression of this condition. PCOS is also associated with metabolic disturbances, such as abnormal hormone and neurotransmitter metabolism, leading to obesity, hyperandrogenemia, and type 2 diabetes. Among female cancers, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer have high incidence rates and pose significant threats to women’s health. Studies suggest a potential link between PCOS and these gynecological cancers. Consequently, hormonal alterations in PCOS patients may influence tumorigenesis and metastasis. Moreover, PCOS is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation, including dysregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased immune cell proliferation, and endothelial dysfunction. These factors contribute to cancer development, primarily through impaired immune metabolism, preventing effective tumor cell clearance and facilitating metastasis. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanistic links between PCOS and gynecological cancers, focusing on the roles of immune cell dysfunction, aberrant cytokine secretion, and neurotransmitter metabolism. Therapeutic strategies, including hormonal interventions, insulin sensitizers, and lifestyle modifications, may mitigate cancer risk by modulating these pathways. This review highlights critical gaps in understanding PCOS-related oncogenesis and advocates for further research to elucidate molecular mechanisms and optimize clinical management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a74f576e5cf34fc6a9fe11d736da32f0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a74f576e5cf34fc6a9fe11d736da32f02025-08-20T03:19:52ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-06-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15784701578470The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulationDongning Wu0Dongning Wu1Dongning Wu2Yue Zhang3Congying Wu4Bo An5Bo An6Xin Wang7Jinxia Ni8Min Chen9Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaXidan Clinic of Guang’anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Beijing, ChinaGuang’anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Beijing, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong Clinical Research Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaData Center of Chinese Medical, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaFaculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, ChinaPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting approximately 10% of middle-aged women worldwide. It is characterized by hirsutism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Various factors, including environmental toxins, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, contribute to the progression of this condition. PCOS is also associated with metabolic disturbances, such as abnormal hormone and neurotransmitter metabolism, leading to obesity, hyperandrogenemia, and type 2 diabetes. Among female cancers, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer have high incidence rates and pose significant threats to women’s health. Studies suggest a potential link between PCOS and these gynecological cancers. Consequently, hormonal alterations in PCOS patients may influence tumorigenesis and metastasis. Moreover, PCOS is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation, including dysregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased immune cell proliferation, and endothelial dysfunction. These factors contribute to cancer development, primarily through impaired immune metabolism, preventing effective tumor cell clearance and facilitating metastasis. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanistic links between PCOS and gynecological cancers, focusing on the roles of immune cell dysfunction, aberrant cytokine secretion, and neurotransmitter metabolism. Therapeutic strategies, including hormonal interventions, insulin sensitizers, and lifestyle modifications, may mitigate cancer risk by modulating these pathways. This review highlights critical gaps in understanding PCOS-related oncogenesis and advocates for further research to elucidate molecular mechanisms and optimize clinical management.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1578470/fullpolycystic ovary syndrometumorsimmune cellsneurotransmittersovarian cancer |
| spellingShingle | Dongning Wu Dongning Wu Dongning Wu Yue Zhang Congying Wu Bo An Bo An Xin Wang Jinxia Ni Min Chen The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation Frontiers in Immunology polycystic ovary syndrome tumors immune cells neurotransmitters ovarian cancer |
| title | The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation |
| title_full | The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation |
| title_fullStr | The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation |
| title_short | The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers: neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation |
| title_sort | relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancers neurotransmitter metabolism changes and immune regulation |
| topic | polycystic ovary syndrome tumors immune cells neurotransmitters ovarian cancer |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1578470/full |
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