Age-related and postmenopausal
breast cancer progression remains a significant challenge, with growing evidence pointing to the role of
pro-inflammatory cytokines and
CXC chemokines in tumor development and immune system modulation. As the global population ages, understanding the intricate connections between
aging, inflammation, and cancer progression becomes increasingly critical.
The aging process is accompanied by changes in the
tumor microenvironment, including the stiffening of the
extracellular matrix and the accumulation of
inflammatory immune mediators, such as
interleukins (IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), transforming growth factor (TGF), and CXC chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12). These factors contribute to
tumor growth, metastasis, and
immune evasion, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Obesity-induced
chronic inflammation further amplifies the risks, as excess adipose tissue leads to an overproduction of
cytokines and adipokines. This inflammatory environment
enhances tumor aggressiveness, influences
immune cell infiltration, and modifies
hormone signaling, thereby increasing breast cancer susceptibility in postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that elevated levels of
CXCL8/IL-8 and CXCL12/CXCR4 correlate with
tumor progression, making these key targets for
potential therapeutic interventions.
A crucial aspect of age-related
breast cancer progression is the dysregulation of the
immune system, particularly the decline in
tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the impaired response to
immune checkpoint inhibitors. The
senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), characterized by the release of inflammatory cytokines, plays a pivotal role in this process, contributing to both
tumor growth and immune suppression. The pro-tumor effects of
IL-6, IL-1β, and CXCLs highlight the importance of targeting
cytokine-driven inflammation as a therapeutic strategy.
Advancements in
theranostic interventions focusing on
cytokine and chemokine modulation hold promise for improved
breast cancer treatment in older women. By addressing the interplay between
aging, obesity, inflammation, and immune function, researchers aim to develop
personalized therapies that mitigate tumor progression while preserving immune surveillance.
With the rising incidence of
postmenopausal breast cancer, the need for innovative approaches targeting
inflammatory pathways has never been more pressing. By unraveling the complex molecular mechanisms underlying
age-related cancer progression, the scientific community is paving the way for more effective and tailored
treatment strategies that can significantly improve patient outcomes.
# # # # #
Genes & Diseases publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high quality original articles and authoritative reviews that focus on the molecular bases of human diseases. Emphasis is placed on hypothesis-driven, mechanistic studies relevant to pathogenesis and/or experimental therapeutics of human diseases. The journal has worldwide authorship, and a broad scope in basic and translational biomedical research of molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cell biology, including but not limited to cell proliferation and apoptosis, signal transduction, stem cell biology, developmental biology, gene regulation and epigenetics, cancer biology, immunity and infection, neuroscience, disease-specific animal models, gene and cell-based therapies, and regenerative medicine.
Scopus CiteScore: 8.4
Impact Factor: 6.9
# # # # # #
More information: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/genes-and-diseases/
Editorial Board: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/genes-and-diseases/editorial-board/
All issues and articles in press are available
online in
ScienceDirect (
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/genes-and-diseases ).
Submissions to
Genes & Disease may be made using
Editorial Manager (
https://www.editorialmanager.com/gendis/default.aspx ).
Print ISSN: 2352-4820
eISSN: 2352-3042
CN: 50-1221/R
Contact Us: editor@genesndiseases.com
X (formerly Twitter): @GenesNDiseases (
https://x.com/GenesNDiseases )
# # # # # #
Reference
Amin Ullah, Rajeev K. Singla, Dan Cao, Boyang Chen, Bairong Shen, Age-related and postmenopausal breast cancer progression and treatment management: The significance of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines, Genes & Diseases, Volume 12, Issue 5, 2025, 101606,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101606
Funding Information:
National Natural Science Foundation of China 32070671
National Natural Science Foundation of China 32270690
COVID-19 research projects of West China Hospital Sichuan University (China) HX-2019-nCoV-057
Regional innovation cooperation between Sichuan and Guangxi Provinces, China 2020YFQ0019