Sex Differences in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates and the Potential Link to Prostate Cancer
July 2020
in “
Communications biology
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TLDR Men, especially older ones with health issues like prostate cancer, may have worse COVID-19 outcomes and could benefit from therapies targeting male hormones.
The document from July 8, 2020, examines the sex differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and the implications for prostate cancer patients. It notes that COVID-19 outcomes are generally more severe in men, particularly older males with comorbidities such as COPD, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Prostate cancer patients are at an increased risk due to weakened immune systems and higher rates of comorbid conditions. The document also explores the role of androgens and the androgen receptor in immune response, suggesting that higher androgen levels could increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and that antiandrogens and androgen deprivation therapies might offer protective effects against the virus. However, the document does not provide specific participant numbers for the studies it references. It also discusses ongoing clinical trials and research into COVID-19 treatments that could affect prostate cancer management, emphasizing the need for further investigation and the development of therapeutic options for these patients.
