Sex disparity in cancer: roles of microRNAs and related functional players

X-linked microRNAs regulating cancer cell homeostasis. Schematic representation of miR-based, direct or indirect, regulation of PD-L1, as an example of immune checkpoint key molecule. Additional relevant genes targeted by the indicated miRs and involved in cell cycle and cell death modulation are also shown. See text for details. PD-L1 programmed cell death protein ligand, HIF1α hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, STAT3 signal transducer and activation of transcription-3, ER α estrogen receptor α, IFNγ interferon γ, PTEN phosphatase and tensin homolog, PUMA p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis, APAF1 apoptotic protease activating factor-1, CASP3 caspase 3, BCL2L11 BCL2-like11, PPP2R2A protein phosphatase 2, regulatory subunit b, α, TP53INP1 tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 1, PGC-1α peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha, CDKN1B -p27kip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1b, CDKN1C-p57kip2 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1