2023-07-15 04:00:00
Loss of the Y chromosome occurs in several types of cancer, including 10-40% of bladder cancers. Joana Campos Meteored Portugal 15.07.2023 – 06:00 a.m. 4 min
In recent decades, the number of cancers diagnosed in Spain has increased. According to the annual report published by Redecan, this may be due to the aging population, but also to risk factors and even early detection.
Earlier diagnosis increases the number of cases but can make a big difference in treatment. In 2023, the number of diagnosed cases is expected to reach 279,260, which will mean stabilization compared to the previous year.
Studies show men have a higher risk of cancer than women – 41% versus just under 28%, as reported by the Spanish Society for Medical Oncology (SEOM) in 2022 – and that they are also more likely to die from this disease.
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It was previously assumed that this was due to the fact that women generally have better lifestyle habits and use fewer substances such as tobacco and alcohol, but it appears that there are other causes.
The importance of the Y chromosome
The Y chromosome plays a key role in sex determination as it contains the gene that initiates the development of male reproductive organs, but is generally not essential for cell survival.
As they age, many people who carry this chromosome lose it gradually in part of their cells, which is associated with a shorter life expectancy.
A recent study by researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, published in the journal Nature, showed that the loss of the Y chromosome can make some bladder and colon tumors more aggressive. This study establishes a link between chromosome loss and immune response for the first time.
The researchers found that cells that lose the Y chromosome deplete the lymphocytes, or T cells, that are responsible for fighting the tumor. This, explained Dan Theodorescu, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, causes the tumor to grow “aggressively.”
Loss of the Y chromosome can lead to a number of health complications throughout life.
The team also found that while the loss of the Y chromosome makes the tumors more aggressive, they also respond better to immune checkpoint inhibitors, a special type of immunotherapy commonly used in this type of tumor; it enables T cells to destroy tumor cells.
According to the researchers, this study and its results can help plan the most effective treatments in the future. A genetic analysis can reveal the loss of this chromosome and thus personalize the treatment of male patients with bladder cancer.
Risks of losing the Y chromosome
The loss of the Y chromosome in men may not only be responsible for the increased aggressiveness of bladder cancerbut is also associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from the University of Virginia and Uppsala University have examined the direct damage which the loss of chromosomes in the body can cause.
Y chromosome loss in cancer drives growth by evasion of adaptive immunity – #Science #Space #Physics #Universe #Planets #Missions #NASA #ESA #Mars #Webb
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They concluded that increased chromosome loss increases the risk of dying of heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases as it promotes the deterioration of heart function and the development of fibrosis, which over time can be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease.
This, together with other social, environmental and biological factors, may explain why women have a longer life expectancy than men.
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