A new factor in the development of cancer in men has been named
As men get older, they can lose Y chromosomes in parts of their cells. This helps certain cancers evade the immune system.The loss of the Y chromosome helps certain cancer cells get past the body's immune system and multiply faster.
Most men carry one X and one Y sex chromosome in each of their body cells. However, over the course of their lives, many men lose their Y chromosomes in parts of their cells, and this prevents them from fighting certain types of cancer. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of a new study, who conducted an experiment on mice.
Loss of the Y chromosome in a percentage of male cells contributes to the development of cancer, especially bladder pathology, . The dangerous cells manage to slip past the body's immune system and multiply faster. The results of the study are published in the journal Nature.
Loss of the Y chromosome has previously been linked to an increased risk of certain diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer's. This phenomenon has been observed in various cell types, including blood cells, as well as in various types of cancer cells.