Sexual Dimorphism Cancer Program
The incidence of many cancer types arising in organs with non-reproductive functions is significantly higher in male than female populations, with associated differences in survival. Together with occupational and/or behavioral factors, cellular and molecular differences between the two sexes are likely to play a determining role.
Building on the momentum of the First International Workshop on Sexual dimorphism in Cancer held on March 22-26 2021, the aim of this program is to foster a multi-disciplinary forum and research network for the generation of novel conceptual frameworks and approaches to this complex issue.
Experts in human development and genetics, cancer cell biology, metabolism and immune system will be brought together with epidemiologists and clinical investigators to address the following topics:
1. Genetics and epigenetics of sex determination
2. Environmental impact
3. Cancer stem cell potential and tumor microenvironment
4. Metabolic functions
3. Immune system and chronic inflammation
4. Microbiome
5. Early detection and biomarkers
6. Drug toxicology
7. Pharmacological approaches (immunotherapy)
8. Societal challenges and opportunities
The following initiatives will be undertaken
- Yearly meeting, organised a rotating basis by senior investigators and more junior researchers. There are some congresses on gender medicine but most often not dedicated to issues related to oncology, cancer prevention and treatment. They are rather meant for large audiences of physicians to interact with international faculty, with little opportunities for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to participate and interact. These meetings are also held in different parts of the world, in contrast to our conference that, building on on already established virtual platform, will strive to bring people together in various hubs, staring from the one we have in Lausanne Switzerland.
- Monthly “educational” seminar series (via Zoom).
- Research presentations of ongoing projects by junior investigators.
- Monthly newsletter, with announcement of opening positions, papers, arising matters, possible funding sources.
- A blog / discussion forum.
- Sharing of technology platforms and special expertise, as already proposed by Matti Poutanen, for steroid measurements by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS in biofluids and tissues.
- Working groups on specific topics, like sex hormones, chromosomes and molecular genetics, population studies, drug development and clinical testing.
- Outreach, to public and private research institutions, pharmaceutical companies.
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