Gender differences: Advances in cancer research!

Gender differences: Advances in cancer research!

Modern immunotherapies represent a significant advance in cancer treatment, but present numerous challenges. In particular, the differences in response to therapy between men and women require closer examination. How uni-wh.de reports, a research team from the University of Witten/Herdecke (UW/H) together with the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) launched a study on July 1, 2025 to analyze these gender-specific differences in cancer treatment. This project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and aims to gain more comprehensive insights into the different therapeutic success of men and women.

Two specific forms of therapy are the focus of the investigation: CAR T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers. CAR T-cell therapy, which is examined in the studies, is a complex process. T cells are obtained from the patient's blood via leukapheresis and then genetically modified in the laboratory to present the CAR on the cell surface. These modified T cells are infused back into the patient after a short hospitalization med3.mri.tum.de.

Different reactions to therapies

Previous studies show that men suffer more often from side effects, but often also benefit more from the treatment successes. In contrast, in some case studies, women tolerate the therapies better, but the effectiveness is often considered to be lower. Prof. Dr. Sven Schmiedl, who leads the project, emphasizes the urgency of better understanding these differences in order to optimize therapeutic approaches uni-wh.de.

A central aspect of the study is to make gender-specific differences in effectiveness, side effects and quality of life of patients visible. An internal team exchange about patients' perspectives is encouraged through collaboration with two co-researchers, a man and a woman. Prof. Dr. Nina Timmesfeld from the RUB emphasizes that the perspective of those affected on aspects such as quality of life and long-term stress is crucial.

Factors that need to be addressed

The research will get to the bottom of old blind spots in dosage recommendations. Differences in body weight, body composition and body surface area can influence the results of therapy. The topic of gender in oncology is becoming increasingly relevant. How medical-tribune.de reported, current studies show that gender has a significant influence on the course of the disease, the effectiveness of treatments and the occurrence of side effects.

The findings of this comprehensive study will not only be published in specialist journals, but will also be presented at medical conferences and made available to the public. In the long term, the aim is to incorporate the results into medical guidelines in order to enable more individualized and safer therapy for patients.