Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2025

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells
Published on: March 7, 2025
Sex hormones, the anticancer immune response, and therapeutic opportunities
Fabio Conforti1, Laura Pala2, Diletta Di Mitri3
1Division of Medical Oncology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Bergamo, Italy; Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Sex-based differences have been observed in the incidence and prognosis of various cancers, as well as in the response to immune check point inhibitors (ICIs). These disparities are partially attributed to sex-based differences in the molecular characteristics of the anticancer immune response, which are largely influenced by sex hormones. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview on how sex hormones affect innate and adaptive immunity and contribute to shaping the features of tumor immune microenvironment and response to anticancer immunotherapy. We also discuss the promising potential and challenges of combining sex hormone manipulation with anticancer immunotherapy as new therapeutic strategy. We surmise that a sex-based perspective should be part of precision medicine approaches, and sex hormones manipulation provides opportunities for innovative immune therapeutic approaches.
More Related Videos
13:19Quantifying Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Tumor Spheroid Model: Application for Drug Discovery
Published on: April 26, 2024
08:29Ex Vivo Treatment Response of Primary Tumors and/or Associated Metastases for Preclinical and Clinical Development of Therapeutics
Published on: October 2, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...