Why are older mice less prone to aggressive lung tumors?

According to the study, the amount of cancer in younger mice (4-6 months old) was triple that of older mice (nearly 2 years old). The researchers found that the PTEN gene mutation had a much stronger effect on cancer in young mice compared to old, suggesting age plays a role in tumor growth.

How do the findings challenge beliefs about cancer and aging?

The study's results fly in the face of the widely-held belief that the risk for developing cancer increases with age. In fact, the researchers found that older mice developed fewer and less aggressive lung tumors than their younger counterparts.

What could the implications of this study be for human cancer treatments?

The researchers say the findings could lead to updated models and enhanced treatments for cancer patients of all ages. The discovery that the PTEN gene mutation has a stronger impact on cancer in young mice versus old suggests age may influence the efficacy of targeted cancer therapies.

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Older Mice Defy Cancer Odds, Develop Fewer Aggressive Lung Tumors

13 Nov

Summary

Elderly mice develop fewer, less aggressive lung tumors than younger mice
PTEN gene mutation has stronger effect on cancer in young mice compared to old
Findings challenge belief that cancer risk increases with age

Older Mice Defy Cancer Odds, Develop Fewer Aggressive Lung Tumors

According to a study conducted by Stanford Medicine researchers and published in 2025, the elderly appear to be at a lower risk for developing cancer compared to their younger counterparts. The study, which observed mice over a 15-week period, found that older rodents (nearly two years old) developed significantly fewer and less aggressive lung tumors than younger mice (four to six months old).

This surprising discovery challenges the widely-held belief that the risk of cancer increases with age. "We would expect that older animals would get more and worse cancers, but that's not at all what the study found," said Dr. Monte Winslow, an associate professor involved in the research.

To better understand the underlying biological mechanisms, the researchers tested the impact of disabling 25 tumor-suppressing genes. One gene, known as PTEN, stood out as having a much stronger effect on cancer in young mice compared to older mice. This suggests that the efficacy of cancer therapies targeting specific mutations may differ between young and old patients.

While the implications for human health remain to be seen, the findings could lead to updated models and enhanced treatments for cancer patients of all ages.

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