Miami (LabNews Media LLC) – A previously unknown, sex-specific immune mechanism could improve the treatment of the aggressive brain tumor glioblastoma in women in the future. Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami have shown that the neurotransmitter GABA enhances the immunosuppressive activity of certain myeloid suppressor cells in female models – an effect that does not occur in male models.
In the study, published in the journal Nature Cancer, the scientists led by Defne Bayik showed that blocking the GABA receptor significantly prolonged survival in female animal models, while male models showed no benefit. Human tumor tissue from women also showed higher concentrations of GABA and its receptor than samples from men.
Glioblastomas occur more frequently and aggressively in men than in women. However, the new findings explain why women, despite being diagnosed less often, could still benefit from targeted therapies. The researchers emphasize that women account for about 40 percent of glioblastoma patients and that current therapies are often not sex-specific.
“We have a growing understanding that cancer doesn’t affect men and women the same way,” said Defne Bayik. “By identifying these differences, we can better tailor treatments to both sexes.”
The study opens up new avenues for personalized immunotherapies for glioblastoma and underscores the importance of sex-specific research in oncology.
