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Sexual dimorphism in medulloblastoma features
Author(s) -
Zani Gian Franco,
Ciucci Alessandra,
Marucci Gianluca,
Travaglia Daniele,
Stigliano Egidio,
Foschini Maria Pia,
Scambia Giovanni,
Gallo Daniela
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12770
Subject(s) - androgen receptor , sexual dimorphism , biology , angiogenesis , immunohistochemistry , medicine , sex hormone receptor , endocrinology , receptor , cd31 , androgen , medulloblastoma , hormone , estrogen receptor , cancer research , cancer , breast cancer , prostate cancer , immunology
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. Methods and results Sixty‐four MB s and five normal cerebella were included in the study. Cell proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (cleaved caspase‐3) and microvessel density ( CD 31) were evaluated in tumours by immunohistochemistry. Tissues were analysed for oestrogen receptor ( ER )α, ER β1, ER β2, ER β5 and androgen receptor ( AR ) expression. The results demonstrated sex‐specific features in MB s, with tumours from females showing a higher apoptosis/proliferation ratio and less tumour vascularization than tumours from males. MB s were negative for ER α and AR , but expressed ER β 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. 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.