[ study of cell proliferation, TNF-alpha cytokine production and expression of CD8 marker in peripheral blood lymphocytes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] by co-culture with ovarian tumor cell lines [SKOV3, A2780]]

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a proinflammatory state that underpins the development of metabolic aberration and ovarian dysfunction in the disorder. Chronic inflammation and increased levels of androgens in these patients and their impact on the immune system, may be able to disrupt antitumor activity and thus increase the risk of developing malignancies including ovarian cancer

Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 50 patients with PCOS and healthy controls were purified by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. We then measured cell proliferation and concentrations of cytokines TNF- alpha at different time intervals [48 and 72 hours] after co-culture of ovarian [SKOV3, A2780] and breast [MCF-7, MDA-468] tumor cell lines with PBMC in indirect contact of trans well system

Results: Proliferative response of executive cells during stimulation with tumor cell lines after 48 hours was not statistically significant between patients and healthy controls. Between the 2 groups, proliferation rates at the end of 72h were significantly higher than after 48h [P<0.01]. The production of TNF- alpha in co-culture of A2780 cell lines significantly increased in the patient group in time compared to the controls [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Our findings confirmed that, compared to healthy individuals low levels of chronic inflammation in patients with PCOS exhibit increased proliferative response of immune cells and TNF- alpha levels. An increased risk of cancers in patients with PCOS however requires investigation of other aspects of anti-tumor responses in vitro, with larger sample sizes

[Increase risk of ovarian and breast cancers in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a review]

Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is the most common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age. In addition of fertility problems, there are numerous potential mechanisms which could promote neoplastic disease, including breast and gynecological cancers [endometrial and ovarian cancers], in women with PCOS. PCOS patients have a higher prevalence of obesity and consequently higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Also, hyper and rogenism, as one of the main symptoms of PCOS, is the result of endocrine alterations like increased presence of androgens and estrogens secreted abnormally. Obesity and fertility disorders caused by PCOS are two important risk factors for various cancers such as ovarian cancer. There is some evidence, which suggests that PCOS may be assumed as a factor in the increased risk of ovarian cancer. Also, androgen levels, weight gain and obesity are the main risk factors for the onset and progression of breast cancer. Related articles in English were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Wiley Online Library. Accordingly, PCOS could be known as a cause of estrogen-dependent tumors that have receptors for steroid hormones, such as breast and ovarian cancer. Despite the on going extensive research aiming to determine the relationship between PCOS and increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, limited information has been obtained to confirm this relationship