Recurrent deletions and regulatory disruption of the Y chromosome in cancer.

Recurrent euchromatic deletions on the Y chromosome in male cancer cell lines are linked to transcriptional changes and clinical outcomes, as measured by the new YES Score.

• Why it matters: Understanding the functional impact of Y chromosome loss in cancer is limited, especially regarding partial deletions that may affect gene regulation and tumor behavior.
• What they did: The study used high-coverage whole-genome sequencing, large-scale transcriptomics, and eQTL analysis on male cancer cell lines to map LOY, identifying recurrent deletions and developing the YES Score.
• The result: Findings suggest LOY is a structured genomic event influencing gene expression and clinical patterns, with retained Y loci remaining active in functions related to proliferation, immune signaling, and stress response.