How obesity can improve the efficacy of cancer treatment: role of the sex hormone estrogens.

Eloïse Dupuychaffray; Carole Bourquin

doi:10.25250/thescbr.brk803

Authors

Eloïse Dupuychaffray University of Bern https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0465-6856
Carole Bourquin University of Bern https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3862-4583

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25250/thescbr.brk803

Keywords:

Cancer, Immunotherapy, Obesity, Estrogen

Abstract

Obesity increases cancer risk, yet obese patients often respond better to cancer immunotherapy. In our study, we uncovered why: high estrogen levels, especially in obese men, boost the immune response triggered by immunotherapy. This reveals a key role for estrogens in improving treatment effectiveness.

Author Biographies

Eloïse Dupuychaffray, University of Bern

Academic Fellow
Carole Bourquin, University of Bern

Professor

Original article reference

Dupuychaffray E, Poinot H, Vuilleumier A, Borgeaud M, Alvarez M, Taskoparan B, Preynat-Seauve O, Voegel C, Marinari E, Migliorini D, Dutoit V, Bourquin C, and Pommier A. Estrogens determine the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in obese males with melanoma. JCI Insight. 2025;10(14):e189758