The Role of Female Reproductive Hormones in the Association between Migraine and Breast Cancer: An Unanswered Question

Accumulating epidemiological studies have investigated a possible interconnection between migraine (Mi) and breast cancer (BC) because of the strong link between these diseases and female reproductive hormones. This review aims to consolidate findings from epidemiological studies and explore biologi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomedicines 2023-06, Vol.11 (6), p.1613
Main Authors: Tiberio, Paola, Viganò, Alessandro, Ilieva, Mariya Boyanova, Pindilli, Sebastiano, Bianchi, Anna, Zambelli, Alberto, Santoro, Armando, De Sanctis, Rita
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aromatase
Breast cancer
Cancer
Cancer therapies
Development and progression
Epidemiology
Estrogen receptors
Estrogens
Headache
Headaches
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormones
Mammography
Menstruation
Meta-analysis
Migraine
Mutation
Observational studies
Oncology, Experimental
progestins
Review
Womens health
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Summary:Accumulating epidemiological studies have investigated a possible interconnection between migraine (Mi) and breast cancer (BC) because of the strong link between these diseases and female reproductive hormones. This review aims to consolidate findings from epidemiological studies and explore biologically plausible hypothetical mechanisms related to hormonal pathways. Current evidence suggests a protective role of Mi in BC development, particularly in case-control studies but not in cohort ones. The inconsistency among studies may be due to several reasons, including diagnostic criteria for Mi and the age gap between the development of these two diseases. Furthermore, recent research has challenged the concept of a net beneficial effect of Mi on BC, suggesting a more complex relationship between the two conditions. Many polymorphisms/mutations in hormone-related pathways are involved in at least one of the two conditions. The most promising evidence has emerged for a specific alteration in the estrogen receptor 1 gene (rs2228480). However, the possible specific mutation or polymorphism involved in this association has not yet been identified. Further studies with robust methodologies are needed to validate the protective role of Mi in BC and fully elucidate the precise nature of this causal relationship.
ISSN:2227-9059
2227-9059
DOI:10.3390/biomedicines11061613