title: An integrative view on sex differences in brain tumors.
abstract: Sex differences in human health and disease can range from undetectable to profound. Differences in brain tumor rates and outcome are evident in males and females throughout the world and regardless of age. These observations indicate that fundamental aspects of sex determination can impact the biology of brain tumors. It is likely that optimal personalized approaches to the treatment of male and female brain tumor patients will require recognizing and understanding the ways in which the biology of their tumors can differ. It is our view that sex-specific approaches to brain tumor screening and care will be enhanced by rigorously documenting differences in brain tumor rates and outcomes in males and females, and understanding the developmental and evolutionary origins of sex differences. Here we offer such an integrative perspective on brain tumors. It is our intent to encourage the consideration of sex differences in clinical and basic scientific investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Anya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plutynski
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Joshua B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Rubin
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D000242:Cyclic AMP