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Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study

  • Authors:
    • Faisal G. Lazim
    • Noori M. Luaibi
    • Ihsan E. Alsaimary
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad 10064, Iraq, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah 61001, Iraq
    Copyright: © Lazim et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].
  • Article Number: 47
    |
    Published online on: April 6, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.462
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Abstract

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary tract, characterized by high recurrence and morbidity rates. The majority of bladder cancer cases occur in older individuals, with the prevalence rising with age. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and their corresponding receptors [androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1)] to determine whether they are risk factors for the pathogenesis and progression of bladder cancer in women. A total of 122 female participants were enrolled in the present study, including 50 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer and 72 age‑matched participants who served as the control group. Blood samples and tissue biopsies were collected from the participants. Hormone levels were measured using the Cobase automated analyzer, while the gene expression levels of receptors were assessed using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of the estrogen and testosterone hormones in the patient group. The results also demonstrated a significant increase in AR gene expression, but a decrease in ESR1 gene expression in the patients compared with the control group. These findings support a potential link between sex hormone imbalance and altered receptor expression in the pathophysiology of bladder cancer in women.
View Figures

Figure 1

Flowchart illustrating the
distribution and number of participants, as well as the type and
number of blood and tissue samples collected in the present study.
FFPE, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded.

Figure 2

Age distribution of the patient and
control groups, categorized into intervals beginning with 30-39
years and extending to >70 years.
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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Lazim FG, Luaibi NM and Alsaimary IE: Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study. World Acad Sci J 8: 47, 2026.
APA
Lazim, F.G., Luaibi, N.M., & Alsaimary, I.E. (2026). Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 8, 47. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.462
MLA
Lazim, F. G., Luaibi, N. M., Alsaimary, I. E."Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8.3 (2026): 47.
Chicago
Lazim, F. G., Luaibi, N. M., Alsaimary, I. E."Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8, no. 3 (2026): 47. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.462
Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Lazim FG, Luaibi NM and Alsaimary IE: Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study. World Acad Sci J 8: 47, 2026.
APA
Lazim, F.G., Luaibi, N.M., & Alsaimary, I.E. (2026). Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 8, 47. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.462
MLA
Lazim, F. G., Luaibi, N. M., Alsaimary, I. E."Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8.3 (2026): 47.
Chicago
Lazim, F. G., Luaibi, N. M., Alsaimary, I. E."Sex hormone and receptor imbalance in women with bladder cancer: A molecular and physiological study". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8, no. 3 (2026): 47. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.462
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