Male hormones may help slow brain tumor growth, early lab study finds
Original title: NIH-funded study suggests that testosterone suppresses brain tumor growth in males
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was done in animals, not people. Most findings at this stage never become treatments.
This was only done in a lab model, not in people.
The short version
Early research suggests testosterone and similar male hormones may help hold back brain tumor growth.
What was studied. Scientists at Cleveland Clinic, with funding from the National Institutes of Health, looked at how male hormones affect glioblastoma: The fastest-growing type of glioma (grade 4). Treatment usually starts soon after diagnosis: surgery first, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary. They used a preclinical model, which is lab research, not a study in patients.
What they found. When androgen hormones like testosterone were lost, the tumor grew more. The researchers found this loss caused inflammation in the area around the tumor. It also set off the making of stress hormones.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: This gives researchers a possible reason why brain tumors can behave differently in men. It points to hormones, inflammation, and stress hormones as things worth studying further. For now, it is a lead for scientists, not a change in your care.
What it doesn't mean: This does not mean testosterone is a treatment for brain tumors. It is early lab research, not a study in people. It is not a cure, and it is not a promise of one. Do not start, stop, or change any hormone or medicine because of this. Talk with your own doctor about your care.
Source: National Cancer Institute, May 6, 2026 · Read the original
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