Mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in the pathogenesis of sarcomas

Abstract

Sarcomas of non-genital organs affect women 1.5–3 times less often than men. The mechanism of such dimorphism is studied at various levels, mainly in the field of influence on the pathogenesis of sex hormones and their receptors, the effect of which is significantly related to the histogenesis of the tumor, its localization, the mechanism of malignant transformation and the stage of progression. Sex hormone receptors are often found in the early stages of tumor development and are lost during progression. At the same time, the expression of the same receptors in tumors of different histogenesis sometimes correlates with the opposite prognosis of the disease and sensitivity to hormonal therapy. For example, in uterine leiomyosarcomas, the expression of estrogen and androgen receptors correlates with a better prognosis and greater effectiveness of therapy, and in osteo- and fibrosarcomas, vice versa. Estrogens stimulate proliferation of osteosarcoma cells, and androgens that of rhabdomyosarcoma and small round cell tumor, which growth is inhibited by antiandrogens used in the treatment of prostate cancer. In this regard, when trying to include a hormonal component in a therapeutic complex, an individual study of the hormonal sensitivity of the tumor is necessary. One of the methodological approaches to this could be testing a culture of tumor cells from surgical material for sensitivity to agonists/antagonists of hormonal receptors separately and in combination with chemotherapy drugs.