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Pallauf M, Ged Y, Singla N. Molecular differences in renal cell carcinoma between males and females. World J Urol 2023; 41:1727-1739. [PMID: 36905442 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04347-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The disparity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk and treatment outcome between males and females is well documented, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. METHODS We performed a narrative review synthesizing contemporary evidence on sex-specific molecular differences in healthy kidney tissue and RCC. RESULTS In healthy kidney tissue, gene expression differs significantly between males and females, including autosomal and sex-chromosome-linked genes. The differences are most prominent for sex-chromosome-linked genes and attributable to Escape from X chromosome-linked inactivation and Y chromosome loss. The frequency distribution of RCC histologies varies between the sexes, particularly for papillary, chromophobe, and translocation RCC. In clear-cell and papillary RCC, sex-specific gene expressions are pronounced, and some of these genes are amenable to pharmacotherapy. However, for many, the impact on tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. In clear-cell RCC, molecular subtypes and gene expression pathways have distinct sex-specific trends, which also apply to the expression of genes implicated in tumor progression. CONCLUSION Current evidence suggests meaningful genomic differences between male and female RCC, highlighting the need for sex-specific RCC research and personalized sex-specific treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Pallauf
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Park 213, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Yasser Ged
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nirmish Singla
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Park 213, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Peired AJ, Campi R, Angelotti ML, Antonelli G, Conte C, Lazzeri E, Becherucci F, Calistri L, Serni S, Romagnani P. Sex and Gender Differences in Kidney Cancer: Clinical and Experimental Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184588. [PMID: 34572815 PMCID: PMC8466874 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Kidney cancer is a frequent malignant tumor that accounts for approximately 5% of all cancer incidences. It affects both males and females, but males are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than females. Evidence shows that this discrepancy takes root in individual differences, such as genetics or pathologies that affect the patient. It is then reflected in the clinical characteristics of the tumors, as males have larger and more aggressive tumors. Understanding the sex- and gender-based differences in kidney cancer is essential to be able to offer patients individualized medicine that would better cover their needs in terms of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Abstract Sex and gender disparities have been reported for different types of non-reproductive cancers. Males are two times more likely to develop kidney cancer than females and have a higher death rate. These differences can be explained by looking at genetics and genomics, as well as other risk factors such as hypertension and obesity, lifestyle, and female sex hormones. Examination of the hormonal signaling pathways bring further insights into sex-related differences. Sex and gender-based disparities can be observed at the diagnostic, histological and treatment levels, leading to significant outcome difference. This review summarizes the current knowledge about sex and gender-related differences in the clinical presentation of patients with kidney cancer and the possible biological mechanisms that could explain these observations. Underlying sex-based differences may contribute to the development of sex-specific prognostic and diagnostic tools and the improvement of personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Julie Peired
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Riccardo Campi
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.C.); (S.S.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Angelotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Giulia Antonelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Carolina Conte
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Elena Lazzeri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Francesca Becherucci
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Linda Calistri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Sergio Serni
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.C.); (S.S.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Romagnani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.L.A.); (G.A.); (C.C.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (P.R.)
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy;
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