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. 2020 Jan 1;80(1):27-29.
doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-19-2634. Epub 2019 Nov 13.

Novel Mechanisms of Cancer Emerge When Accounting for Sex as a Biological Variable

Melissa A Wilson  1   2 , Kenneth H Buetow  3   2
Affiliations

Novel Mechanisms of Cancer Emerge When Accounting for Sex as a Biological Variable

Melissa A Wilson et al. Cancer Res. .

Abstract

There is a large gap between the aspiration of considering sex as biological variable and the execution of such studies, particularly in genomic studies of human cancer. This represents a lost opportunity to identify sex-specific molecular etiologies that may underpin the dramatic sex differences in cancer incidence and outcome. There are conceptual and practical challenges associated with considering sex as a biological variable, including the definition of sex itself and the need for novel study designs. A better understanding of cancer mechanisms, resulting in improved outcomes, will reward the effort invested in incorporating sex as a biological variable.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest

References

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