Loss of Y chromosome in men enables cancer to grow, finds new study (Immune checkpoint inhibitors work better on tumors with this problem)

Medical Xpress / Cedars-Sinai Medical Center / Nature ^ | June 21, 2023 | Dan Theodorescu, MD, Ph.D. et al

[ConservativeMind]

As men age, some of their cells lose the very thing that makes them biological males—the Y chromosome—and this loss hampers the body's ability to fight cancer, according to research.

The study found that loss of the Y chromosome helps cancer cells evade the body's immune system. This common impact of the aging process in men results in aggressive bladder cancer, but somehow also renders the disease more vulnerable—and responsive—to a standard treatment called immune checkpoint inhibitors.

In humans, each cell normally has one pair of sex chromosomes; men have one X and one Y chromosome, while women have two X chromosomes. In men, loss of the Y chromosome has been observed in several cancer types, including 10%–40% of bladder cancers.

The investigators reviewed data on two groups of men. One group had muscle invasive bladder cancer and had their bladders removed, but were not treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. The other group participated in a clinical trial and were treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. They found that patients with loss of the Y chromosome had poorer prognosis in the first group and much better overall survival rates in the latter.

Based on their results derived from human patients and laboratory mice, Theodorescu and his team also concluded that tumors missing the Y chromosome, while more aggressive, were also more vulnerable and responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This therapy, one of the two mainstay bladder cancer treatments available to patients today, reverses T-cell exhaustion and allows the body's immune system to fight the cancer.

Preliminary data not yet published shows that loss of the Y chromosome also renders prostate cancers more aggressive, Theodorescu said.

[ConservativeMind]

Immune checkpoint inhibitors helped fairly more with those whose tumors have lost the “Y” chromosome.

It might be worth getting it tested, which would help identify the need to be on the inhibitors over any other therapy.

[ConservativeMind]

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[bgill]

Tell that to the limp wristed and parents who shop at Target.

[mosaicwolf]

So what do trannies have? Does this mean there are only males and females? Damn! who would have known.

[ClearCase_guy]

These people identify as vulnerable to cancer.

[old school]

https://youtu.be/LWTM3WLCIxA

[gov_bean_ counter]

Some men’s Y chromosome is in a lockbox with their testicleszz

[Sacajaweau]

Makes no sense

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

If men are losing their Y chromosome does that mean they are becoming half a woman?

I am 76 years and I don’t “feel fabulous!” just old and still manish. Still see, hear fairly well, drive, and mice do not make me go “Eeek!”—yet.

And I can hold my own on some discussions on FR.

[BipolarBob]

It is accepted that men today have half the testosterone than men 100 years ago. Possible explanations is diet, stress and sedentary lifestyle. Also we have 1/3 of men thousands of years ago. Testosterone levels then were calculated by skull measurements (don’t ask me).

[Campion]

They’re talking about cancer cells losing their Y chromosome. Cancer cells are diseased mutants to begin with.

[bgill]

All those female hormones getting injected.

[nagant]

Good research. However, it leaves open the mechanism involved with cancer-associated loss of the Y chromosome. For instance, if it’s a testosterone shortage then hormone replacement could be useful.