About this Research Topic

Background

Scientific evidence from both preclinical, and clinical studies indicates that male and female patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) exhibit different clinical, epidemiological, and pathological characteristics, with sexually dimorphic biological factors exhibiting a significant influence in the development of CVD and therapeutic responses.

Sexually dimorphic physiology that contributes to sex differences in cardiovascular therapeutic responses may include; immune responses, cardio-renal health, the blood-brain barrier, coronary atherosclerosis pathology, complications of COVID-19 infections, and the interplay between psychological factors and sedentarism. Furthermore, current knowledge indicates the role of hormonal regulation has a significant impact in sex-specific differences across the clinical cardiology field.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) previously adopted a policy to encourage researchers to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) as well as Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER). In order to promote sexual dimorphic cardiovascular therapeutic development, we have organized this special topic “Sex Differences and Cardiovascular Therapeutics” to provide a scientific forum for cardiovascular scientists and clinicians to present their newest findings in characterizing sex differences in cardiovascular therapeutics.

Potential areas of research within this collection may include, but are not limited to:
1) Different outcomes and responses to drug treatment in cardiovascular disease between male and female.
2) Mechanisms of sexual dimorphic response and outcomes related to drug treatment of cardiovascular disease.
3) Sex hormones and their receptors in cardiovascular function in animal studies and clinical therapeutic applications.
4) Gender affirming hormone therapy and cardiovascular function.
5) Regulatory guidance for cardiovascular therapeutics in relation to sex-specific differences.

Keywords: Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Sexual dimorphism, therapeutics, cardiovascular disease, sex hormones, transgender

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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