University of Arizona study links Y chromosome loss to cancer risk

Researchers at the University of Arizona Cancer Center have identified a significant link between the gradual loss of the Y chromosome in cells and the development of cancer. The study, published in the medical journal JCI Insight, suggests that the mosaic loss of the Y chromosome in seemingly healthy tissues may create a genetic environment conducive to future cancer formation.

To conduct the study, researchers examined approximately 1,000 tissue samples from 11 different organs collected from 405 men. They utilized a technique called fluorescent in situ hybridization to analyze the presence of X and Y chromosomes within the cells.

While the loss of the Y chromosome is a common genetic change in men as they age—with reports suggesting up to 40 percent of men show identifiable loss in certain blood cells by age 70 and up to 60 percent by age 90—this research indicates that such loss could serve as an early warning sign for cancer risk.