A recent study facilitated by Cedars-Sinai Cancer reveals that, as men age, some of their cells lose the Y chromosome, which weakens the body’s ability to fight cancer. The research indicates that the loss of the Y chromosome allows cancer cells to evade the immune system, leading to aggressive bladder cancer. This loss also makes the cancer more responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Researchers are developing a test to detect Y chromosome loss in tumors to tailor treatments for male patients with bladder cancer.
The study suggests that the Y chromosome plays a crucial role in cancer development and treatment, and further research is needed to understand its genetic connection to T-cell exhaustion. Additionally, the findings may have implications for women’s health as well.
Reference: Loss of Y Chromosome in Men Enables Cancer to Grow. OncLive. Published July 18, 2023. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.onclive.com/view/loss-of-y-chromosome-in-men-enables-cancer-to-grow
Link: https://www.onclive.com/view/loss-of-y-chromosome-in-men-enables-cancer-to-grow
