Overview

• New Nature research finds that when tumor cells and surrounding immune cells both lack the Y chromosome, male patients experience more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates.
• T cell populations with missing Y show impaired cytotoxicity and helper functions alongside immunosuppressive gene signatures, weakening anti-tumor defense.
• Correlation of Y loss across malignant and immune cells suggests either selective recruitment of deficient T cells or a transfer mechanism within the tumor microenvironment.
• Investigators recommend screening T cell products for chromosomal integrity before adoptive immunotherapies to ensure robust anti-cancer responses.
• The study analyzed multiple cancer types using extensive genomic datasets and validated findings with patient tumor samples and preclinical models at Cedars-Sinai, University of Arizona and University College London.