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Sexual dimorphism in medulloblastoma features.
- Source :
-
Histopathology [Histopathology] 2016 Mar; Vol. 68 (4), pp. 541-8. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Aug 12. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Aims: Male sex is a risk factor for medulloblastoma (MB), and is also a negative predictor for clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to assess sex differences in tumour biological features and hormone receptor profiles in a cohort of MB patients.<br />Methods and Results: Sixty-four MBs and five normal cerebella were included in the study. Cell proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3) and microvessel density (CD31) were evaluated in tumours by immunohistochemistry. Tissues were analysed for oestrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ5 and androgen receptor (AR) expression. The results demonstrated sex-specific features in MBs, with tumours from females showing a higher apoptosis/proliferation ratio and less tumour vascularization than tumours from males. MBs were negative for ERα and AR, but expressed ERβ isoforms at similar levels between the sexes. Altogether, these findings indicate that signalling mechanisms that control cell turnover and angiogenesis operate more efficiently in females than in males. The lack of sex differences in the hormone receptor profiles suggests that circulating oestrogens could be the major determinants of the sexual dimorphism observed in MB features.<br />Conclusions: Here, we provide molecular support for epidemiological data showing sex differences in MB incidence and outcome, completely defining the hormone receptor profile of the tumours.<br /> (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Apoptosis physiology
Biomarkers, Tumor analysis
Cell Proliferation physiology
Cerebellar Neoplasms metabolism
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Infant
Male
Medulloblastoma metabolism
Middle Aged
Receptors, Androgen analysis
Receptors, Androgen biosynthesis
Receptors, Estrogen analysis
Receptors, Estrogen biosynthesis
Retrospective Studies
Young Adult
Cerebellar Neoplasms pathology
Medulloblastoma pathology
Sex Characteristics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1365-2559
- Volume :
- 68
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Histopathology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26132417
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/his.12770