Exploring Genes Associated with the SexDependent Variations in Lung Cancer

Genome-wide variations in men vs women seem to exist beyond reproductive tissues. Many genomic variations across the genders may be related to the cancer cause, prognosis, and therapeutic response. Since the prevalence, progression and outcome of lung cancer subtypes vary across genders, there was a need to explore molecular level variations potentially associated with gender bias among lung cancer patients. Genes involved in DNA repair and drug/toxicity-related metabolism and DNA adducts have been frequently studied in this context. Several other genes associated with the gender disparities in lung cancer have also been identified based on differences in mutations, copy numbers, epigenetic aspects including methylation and non-coding RNAs, and gene expression. I collated several such recent studies and tried to list key genes highlighted in such reports. But the list of genes is likely to be huge as mass-scale studies have identified hundreds of genes with potential association with gender disparities among lung cancer patients. I summarise the overall current trend in research towards identifying genes associated with gender bias in lung cancer. The review indicated the need for continued large-scale screening of genes and genomic regions. This stress on omics approach is particularly important to systematically prioritise the genes with the gender-biased association for further studies in the context of smoking and other compounding variables in each subtype of lung cancer.

Author(s): Kshitish K Acharya

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