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Age-associated differences in the cancer molecular landscape
Kasit Chatsirisupachai1, Cyril Lagger1, João Pedro de Magalhães1
1Integrative Genomics of Ageing Group, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK.
Trends in Cancer
|July 10, 2022
Summary
Cancer is an age-related disease. Molecular differences in tumors between younger and older patients, including genomic and epigenetic changes, are increasingly understood, informing personalized cancer medicine.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Aging Research
- Genomics
- Epigenetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Cancer incidence and mortality significantly increase with age, indicating a strong link between aging and cancer.
- Despite this, the molecular distinctions within tumors across different age groups are not well understood.
- Recent research is beginning to illuminate the age-associated molecular characteristics of cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current findings on age-related molecular differences in cancer.
- To highlight variations in genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and immunological landscapes between cancers in younger and older individuals.
- To discuss the influence of aging processes on these observed cancer disparities.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of recent studies on age-associated cancer molecular landscapes.
- Comparative analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and immunological data from younger and older cancer patient cohorts.
- Exploration of aging-related biological processes potentially driving cancer differences.
Main Results:
- Significant differences exist in the genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and immunological profiles of cancers in younger versus older patients.
- Specific cancer driver genes show differential mutation frequencies based on patient age.
- Aging processes are implicated as potential factors shaping these age-related molecular variations in cancer.
Conclusions:
- Understanding age-specific molecular alterations in cancer is crucial for advancing personalized medicine.
- Further research into unsolved questions regarding age-related cancer differences can yield significant clinical insights.
- Tailoring cancer treatments based on patient age and associated molecular profiles holds promise for improved outcomes.
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