Abstract 704: Sex and age differences in telomere length and susceptibility to COVID-19

Background: Telomeres are the ends of a chromosome and play a fundamental role as vanguards contra the chromosomal decay. Due to the inability of DNA polymerase to replicate chromosomal ends, a reduction in telomeres length happens after each cell division. The existence of shorter telomeres in older people is related to diminished immune functions. Viral infections able to stimulate remodeling of cells, stress responses, and telomere shortening. Moreover, telomere shortening can be caused by extrinsic environmental variables which induce oxidative stress under conditions of inflammation. Aim: To identify the correlation between telomere shortening and susceptibility to Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition to clarifying changes in telomere length according to the viral infection, the effect of sex and age differences in telomere length in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases are also reviewed. Conclusion: There is a correlation between telomere length and COVID-19 infection with higher susceptibly of elderly patients and males due to shortening in their telomere length. Approximately 53% of (111,428) infected cases (≥50) years old are males, and 47% of (111,428) infected cases (≥50) years old are females. Citation Format: Manar Ahmed Kamal, Kareem Reda Alamiry, Mahmoud Zaki. Sex and age differences in telomere length and susceptibility to COVID-19 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 704.