Discover Why Liver Cancer Affects More Men Than Women
The highest incidence of liver cancer in men is due to the inflammatory effects of a protein, according to a study done with rats that was recientemene released by the journal Science.
Scientists at the Medical School of the University of California found that female mice produce a lesser amount of protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) which contributes to liver inflammation that leads to cancer.
In addition, the researchers said, when there is a production of IL-6 in female rats, this is offset by estrogen, the female sex hormone development.
“By eliminating IL-6 protein we can reduce the incidence of liver cancer in males by about 90 percent,” said Michael Karin, professor of pharmacology at the University of California.
The researchers say the discovery could pave the way for the development of liver cancer therapies to men by reducing the levels of IL-6 or administration of estrogen-like compounds.
Willscott Naugler, Professor, Department of Medicine of the University and one of the principal authors of the study, said that although some organs such as breasts, are clearly influenced by gender, others, such as the liver, which are not.
This raises the possibility that other bodies are not linked to gender differences are governed by the same principle, he adds.
As an example, the scientist reported a case of bladder cancer is more prevalent in males than in females.
“The differences may also result in higher levels of IL-6 and inflammation in the bladders of males,” he adds.
