Sex Hormones in Breast Cancer Immunity

Sex hormones, such as estrogens and androgens, regulate geno-mic and cellular processes that contribute to sex-specific disparities in the pathophysiology of various cancers. Sex hormones can modulate the immune signals and activities of tumor cells and tumor-associated leukocytes to support or suppress cancer pro-gression. Therefore, hormonal differences between males and females play a crucial role in cancer immunity and in the response to therapies that exploit the intrinsic immune system to eliminate malignant cells. In this review, we summarize the impact of sex hormones in the breast cancer microenvironment, with a focus on how the hormonal environment affects tumor immunity. We also discuss the potential benefits of endocrine therapy used in combi-nation with immunotherapy to strengthen the antitumor immune response.

Automated summary

Sex hormones such as estrogens and androgens play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of various cancers by regulating genomic and cellular processes. They can modulate immune signals and activities in tumor cells and leukocytes, affecting cancer progression. Understanding the impact of sex hormones on tumor immunity in the breast cancer microenvironment is important for developing effective therapies. Combining endocrine therapy with immunotherapy can enhance the antitumor immune response.