The prevalence and progression of cancer differ in males and females, and thus, sexual dimorphism in tumor development directly impacts clinical research and medicine. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as important players in gene expression and various cellular processes, including cancer development and progression. In recent years, lncRNAs have been implicated in the differences observed in cancer incidence, progression, and treatment responses between men and women. Here, we present a brief overview of the current knowledge regarding the role of lncRNAs in cancer sex dimorphism, focusing on how they affect epigenetic processes in male and female mammalian cells. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which lncRNAs may contribute to sex differences in cancer, including transcriptional control of sex chromosomes, hormonal signaling pathways, and immune responses. We also propose strategies for studying lncRNA functions in cancer sex dimorphism. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in cancer research and the need to investigate the role lncRNAs play in mediating these sex differences. In summary, we highlight the emerging link between lncRNAs and cancer sex dimorphism and their potential as therapeutic targets.
Keyphrases
- papillary thyroid
- gene expression
- squamous cell
- immune response
- healthcare
- squamous cell carcinoma
- lymph node metastasis
- dna methylation
- oxidative stress
- risk factors
- risk assessment
- signaling pathway
- adipose tissue
- cell proliferation
- epithelial mesenchymal transition
- transcription factor
- mental health
- skeletal muscle
- network analysis
- heat shock
- endoplasmic reticulum stress