Testosterone may suppress the growth of brain tumors in men

Scientists have found that androgen deficiency excessively activates the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis – the neuroendocrine system responsible for the body’s stress reactions. As a result, levels of stress hormones increased and the brain became even more isolated from the immune system. Because of this, an immunosuppressive environment was formed in the brain tissue: it was more difficult for immune cells to penetrate and fight the tumor, which allowed glioblastoma to grow almost uncontrollably. In female mice, testosterone did not show a similar effect.

According to study leader Justin Latia, the brain has a unique defense system that limits excessive immune reactions. Androgens have been shown to play an important role in maintaining this balance. To test whether the results were related to the human body, the researchers analyzed data from more than 1,300 men with glioblastoma from SEER. It turned out that patients taking testosterone for reasons unrelated to cancer treatment had a 38% lower risk of death compared to men who did not receive such therapy.

The authors emphasize that so far we are talking only about the identified connection, and not about a proven cause-and-effect relationship. Nevertheless, the combination of clinical data and the results of animal experiments, according to scientists, justifies further research and clinical trials.