Zuo-Feng Zhang

M.D., Ph.D.

Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Professor

PLCO (Learn more about this study)

PLCO-406

Oct 11, 2018

Hormonal factors and risk of lung cancer: Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial and a meta-analysis of 10 cohort studies

Even after adjustment for all measurable life-style factors and uncontrollable risk factors, there is still evidence of heterogeneity by gender in the risk of lung cancer. Hormonal factors have been suggested to explain this gender gap[1]. Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Beta, important transcription factors that control cell proliferation and differentiation, have been found in bronchial epithelia, alveolar epithelia and airway smooth muscle [2]. Menstrual and reproductive factors are regarded as proxies for life-long exposure to endogenous estrogen in women [3]. Oral contraceptive use and hormone replacement therapy are the main sources of endogenous estrogen. Inconsistent epidmeiologic evidence has been reported on the role of female hormonal factors in the development of lung cancer. This study aims at investigating the risk of lung cancer in association with menstrual, reproductive, and hormone medication histories.

References:
1. Couraud, S., et al., Lung cancer in never smokers–a review. Eur J Cancer, 2012. 48(9): p. 1299-311.
2. Belani, C.P., et al., Women and lung cancer: epidemiology, tumor biology, and emerging trends in clinical research. Lung Cancer, 2007. 55(1): p. 15-23.
3. Dahabreh, I.J., T.A. Trikalinos, and J.K. Paulus, Parity and risk of lung cancer in women: systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Lung Cancer, 2012. 76(2): p. 150-8.