Research on hormone therapy and its effects. Covers menopause symptom relief, bronchiectasis risk, dementia links, and Alzheimer's risk.
Researchers identify two molecules, PLXNA1 and PLXNA3, that help set up the sense of smell and pave the way to puberty. This finding may lead to a better understanding of Kallmann syndrome and its treatment.
Researchers found that women using hormonal contraception experienced reduced benefits from exposure therapy compared to those not taking oral contraceptives. Symptom severity decreased after therapy, but improved more for those without hormonal contraception.
A new analysis published in Annals of Oncology suggests that hormone therapy has a greater impact on women's quality of life compared to chemotherapy, especially in postmenopausal patients. This finding challenges current international guidelines recommending prolonged hormone therapy for 5-10 years.
USC researchers have successfully grown human testosterone-producing cells in the lab, paving the way to treat low testosterone with personalized replacement cells. The breakthrough could potentially bypass side effects associated with current treatments, such as infertility and increased risk of prostate cancer.
A recent analysis reveals that treatment of male breast cancer has evolved over the years, with certain patient- and tumor-related factors linked to better survival. The study found that older age, black race, multiple comorbidities, high tumor grade, and undergoing total mastectomy were associated with worse overall survival.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that gender-affirming surgery significantly reduces mental health treatment use among transgender individuals with gender incongruence. The study, which analyzed over 2,500 individuals, showed a 8% reduction in mental health treatment odds for every year since receiving ...
A new study published by The Menopause Society finds that fractional CO2 laser therapy is as effective and safe as vaginal estrogen in improving sexual and urinary functionality in postmenopausal women. After 6 months of follow-up, researchers reported similar improvements in symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, and burning.
A recent study has shown that targeting faulty DNA repair mechanisms can slow the progression of advanced prostate cancer and improve survival rates. The PROfound trial demonstrated a significant delay in cancer progression with olaparib, compared to new hormonal agents, in patients with metastatic, pre-treated prostate cancer.
A study by UCLA researchers found that adding ribociclib to standard hormone therapy significantly improves overall survival in postmenopausal women with advanced hormone-receptor positive/HER2- breast cancer. The combination treatment demonstrated a 28% reduction in risk of death and improved progression-free survival.
A new analysis finds that long-term hormone therapy increases mortality risk for men with low PSA levels after prostate surgery. The study suggests that patients with high PSAs should continue to receive hormone therapy in addition to radiation, but those with low PSAs may be better off without it.
A new study using WHI data found that hormone therapy decreases markers of insulin sensitivity and blood glucose in women, reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The study focused on nine metabolites associated with diabetes development and found seven to be significantly decreased with hormone therapy.
A new study based on ELITE data found that hormone therapy affects estradiol levels in different ways for various determinants, such as BMI, smoking status, and medication use. Higher estradiol levels were associated with lower atherosclerosis risk among postmenopausal women.
A secondary analysis of NRG-RTOG 9601 showed that pre-SRT PSA was a prognostic and predictive biomarker in determining the benefit of adding anti-androgen therapy to early SRT. Patients with PSAs <0.6 ng/mL experienced an increase in other-cause mortality and higher-grade cardiac events.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that metformin promotes brain repair and improves cognitive function in adult female mice, but has no effect on males. The drug works through a sex hormone called estradiol, which enhances neural stem cells' ability to respond to treatment.
Women who started estrogen therapy before age 60 with their ovaries removed experienced reduced mortality over long-term follow-up. However, older women or those above 70 without ovaries did not derive this benefit and may have adverse effects of treatment.
A new study found that only a small percentage of men taking long-term opioids were screened for and treated for low testosterone. The research suggests a widespread underscreening for this condition, which can have significant effects on men's health and quality of life.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that hormone treatments can induce a dormant state in breast cancer cells, known as 'sleeper cells'. This could provide clues to why some cancers become resistant to treatment and may lead to new ways of preventing recurrence. Further research is needed to unlock the secrets of these cells.
The Endocrine Society and international partners endorse a statement clarifying benefits and risks of testosterone therapy for women. Testosterone therapy has been shown to improve sexual wellbeing in postmenopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Dysfunction (HSDD), reducing concerns and distress about sex.
A new study analyzing worldwide epidemiological evidence finds a significant association between menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer incidence. The research indicates that the risks are greater for users of oestrogen-progestagen hormone therapy than for oestrogen-only hormone therapy.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of gender affirmation surgical therapies encountered in diagnostic imaging. It defines normal postsurgical anatomy and describes select complications using a multidisciplinary, multimodality approach. Key findings include the importance of regular prostate cancer screening for trans-female ...
Researchers from Bern, Switzerland have been awarded major grants by the US Department of Defense to study new treatments for prostate cancer and develop methods to preserve severed limbs. The projects aim to identify factors driving metastasis and improve survival rates in prostate cancer patients.
Research published in JNeurosci suggests that estrogen may protect movement neurons from Parkinson's disease, with brain-selective estrogen treatment reducing alpha-synuclein breakdown and severe symptoms in male mice. Female mice also showed less severe symptoms at a later age, indicating potential benefits of estrogen-based treatments.
Conversion therapy practices cause significant harm, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and economic burdens. Physicians advocate for education reform to better identify patients who underwent or may be undergoing conversion therapy.
A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of testosterone treatment for women found significant improvements in sexual desire, function, and pleasure. Non-oral formulations appear to have fewer side effects compared to oral testosterone, with benefits including reduced concerns and distress about sex.
A Penn study of over 150,000 men with prostate cancer found that hormone therapy increased the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The treatment was associated with a 14% increased risk of Alzheimer's and a 20% increased risk of dementia compared to patients who did not receive hormone therapy.
A study of 154,089 older men diagnosed with prostate cancer found that androgen deprivation therapy increased the likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer disease or dementia. The therapy was associated with a higher risk over an average follow-up period of eight years.
Researchers at MUSC found that older men with scleroderma have higher estrogen levels than postmenopausal women, which is linked to more severe disease and heart involvement. This discovery provides evidence for the role of estrogen in scleroderma and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a new strategy for drug discovery and development, enabling the creation of targeted therapies against cancer and neurodegeneration. The technique produces potent compounds selectively toxic to glioblastoma while showing minimal harm to healthy brain cells.
A UCLA-led study found that combining hormone therapy with the drug ribociclib significantly improved overall survival in premenopausal women with advanced hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. The study showed a 70% survival rate after 42 months compared to 46% for those receiving only hormone therapy.
The MONALEESA-7 Phase III trial found that adding ribociclib to hormone therapy significantly improved overall survival in premenopausal patients with advanced HR+ breast cancer, with a 29% lower risk of death. The combination was well-tolerated, with no new side effects emerging.
A new clinical calculator, CTS5, can accurately identify patients at a significantly low risk of their breast cancer returning. This allows them to avoid unnecessary hormone therapy for five years, reducing side effects and psychological burden. The algorithm was tested on 2428 non-trial patients and confirmed its prognostic value.
A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy in managing common menopause symptoms. The treatment significantly improved hot flashes, depression, and sleep disturbances, while also providing long-term benefits.
Researchers discovered subtle changes in female hearts during perimenopause, indicating stress at this early stage. Estrogen-mimicking drugs can still be beneficial for protecting hearts, but timing is crucial to maximize effectiveness.
A large Dutch study found that transgender women using hormone treatment have an increased risk of breast cancer, while trans men have a lower risk. The absolute risk is still relatively low and sufficient for current screening guidelines.
A panel of international experts recommends against routine hormone treatment for adults with subclinical hypothyroidism, as it does not improve quality of life or symptoms. The guideline applies to most adults with the condition, except those trying to become pregnant or with severe symptoms.
A study by the University of Saskatchewan found that therapy dog visits can significantly improve the comfort levels and positive feelings of hospital waiting patients. The study showed a noticeable reduction in distress levels and an increase in perceived comfort among patients, regardless of wait time duration.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that administering cortisol after exposure therapy does not reinforce positive outcomes in anxiety disorders. The study, which tested arachnophobics, showed that patients who received cortisol were more likely to relapse when encountering a spider in a different context.
For long-term acne treatment, doctors are exploring combinations of therapies instead of antibiotics. Benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids show promise in treating the condition, which affects mainly women in their 20s to 40s.
Activists argue that pre-treatment mental health assessments of trans people are dehumanizing and unjustified, treating self-reports of gender dysphoria as if it were a mental illness. Informed consent should replace these assessments, respecting patients' autonomy and lived experience.
Research suggests that blocking opioid receptors can reverse the increase in sugar consumption caused by hormone therapy. The study found that estradiol treatment increased sugar intake in rats, but blocking opioid receptors with naltrexone reversed this effect.
Researchers found that MDMA reopens a critical period in the brain, allowing mice to learn social reward behaviors at an earlier age. This effect lasted for up to two weeks and was linked to oxytocin signaling in the brain.
Researchers have identified a key hormone receptor called RORγ that promotes tumor growth and is responsible for therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. Blocking this receptor slows patient-derived tumor growth and improves survival in animal models, providing new avenues for research and potential therapies.
Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a new polysulfide donor that strongly suppresses inflammatory responses. The compound artificially increases reactive sulfur species in cells, leading to reduced inflammation and improved survival rates in mice with endotoxin shock.
Researchers presented studies on the clinical utility of liquid biopsy powered by ddPCR technology to measure blood-based tumor biomarkers in a reproducible way. Studies demonstrated correlations between ctDNA mutations and response to abemaciclib in breast cancer patients and found potential as a predictor for surgery success in malig...
Women with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer live longer when receiving fulvestrant and anastrozole compared to treatment with anastrozole alone. The combination therapy shows promise as a life-extending first line of treatment, particularly for women who received lower doses of fulvestrant.
Men with hypogonadism and obesity who received long-term testosterone therapy achieved progressive and sustained weight loss, while untreated controls gained. Testosterone-treated men also experienced reductions in mortality and major cardiovascular events.
A new study suggests that the adipose hormone aP2 is associated with obesity-related asthma and may be a key factor in its development. Higher levels of aP2 were found in people with overweight or obesity who also had asthma, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions.
A new clinical trial found that burosumab significantly improves rickets and related outcomes in children with X-linked hypophosphatemia compared to conventional therapy. The study, which included 61 children, showed substantial healing of rickets in 72% of participants who received burosumab.
Transgender men undergoing testosterone therapy may retain their fertility potential even a year into treatment, according to researchers. The study found preserved ovarian function and unchanged hormone levels, suggesting well-preserved reproductive capabilities.
A systematic evidence review found that behavioral therapy is generally more effective than pharmacologic therapies in improving outcomes for women with urinary incontinence. The review included 84 studies and showed that all interventions studied resulted in better UI outcomes than no treatment.
Men undergoing hormonal treatment after prostate removal are 80% more likely to suffer from depression, according to a study presented at the European Association of Urology congress. The treatment is given to control tumor growth, but it may also affect men's well-being.
Researchers have found that testosterone replacement therapy reduces prostate cancer recurrence in low-risk patients by nearly three-fold over three years. This study challenges the long-held notion that testosterone promotes prostate cancer and suggests a potential new treatment approach for these patients.
A VA study evaluated quality indicators for hormone therapy in menopausal women and found that nearly 40% of prescriptions were inconsistent with evidence-based guidelines. The study suggests that point-of-care information and decision support are needed to ensure patients receive guideline-adherent care.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that long-term use of oral hormone therapy is associated with a small increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in postmenopausal women. Women who used hormone therapy for over 10 years had an increased risk, especially those diagnosed at age 60 or older.
Nicholas Valerie receives a $50,000 prize for his thesis on NUDT5 and NUDT15 enzymes, demonstrating novel functions in oxidized nucleotide metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets. The discovery could lead to the development of targeted inhibitors to potentiate cancer therapy.
A small study found that acupuncture reduced hot flushes, sweating, mood swings, sleep disturbances, skin and hair problems in women with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. The treatment was associated with significant reductions after just six weeks.
Research published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine found that US older women are three times more likely to receive treatment for osteoporosis than men of similar age. Men aged 80+ were particularly under-screened and undertreated, with only 10-13% having a bone density scan and fewer than 1 in 10 treated with bisphosphonates.
Researchers have found that a new PET imaging agent, 18F-FFNP, can measure changes in progesterone receptor levels resulting from hormone therapy for breast cancer patients. This could provide an earlier indicator of therapy effectiveness and inform individualized treatment decisions.
Scientists discovered rare enteroendocrine cells in the intestine that produce hormones like ghrelin and GLP1, which can be tweaked to treat diseases like diabetes and obesity. By studying these cells using single-cell sequencing, researchers hope to develop new therapies.
Researchers identified genetic changes that may predict breast cancer relapse in women taking hormone therapy. The study found subtle differences in gene expression between tumours that relapsed and those that didn't, suggesting potential new tests to identify high-risk patients.