Cytokine dynamics following initiation of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender subjects
Authors' conclusion
Six months of estrogen with antiandrogen treatment resulted in decreased serum levels of several cytokines and chemokines in TW, whereas cytokine and chemokine levels often increased in TM upon treatment with testosterone.
Study context
- Population
- Hormone-naïve transgender individuals initiating gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT); cisgender controls
- Participants
- 30 / 30 / 10 / 10
- Exposure
- Before vs after ±6 months of GAHT in trans women and trans men
- Trans women (TW)n = 30
- Trans men (TM)n = 30
- Cisgender menn = 10reference
- Cisgender womenn = 10reference
- Outcome
- Serum levels of immune-related biomarkers, incl. cytokines and chemokines (Olink multiplex assay)
- Follow-up
- Baseline and ±6 months
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Serum cytokine/chemokine levels · ±6 months of GAHT
TW: significantly decreased (CCL2, CCL7, CCL11, CCL13, CCL19, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, IL15, TNFSF10)
10 cytokines
TM: significantly increased (CCL2, CCL7, CCL11, CCL13, CCL19, IL17C, MMP1, TNFSF10)
8 factors
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- No clinically relevant change in High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) over time
Original publication
Cytokine dynamics following initiation of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 1 April 2026. doi:10.
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