Advancing Autoimmune Research with Sex-Based Insights

The NIH’s Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) engaged with the Japan Science and Technology Agency to share insights on fostering gendered innovations and integrating “sex as a biological variable” (SABV) in research.

Why is “Sex As a Biological Variable” Research Necessary?

• Both Drs. Hunter and Douthard expressed how “the inclusion of both sexes in research is crucial for obtaining accurate results and that the exclusion of one sex can lead to an incomplete understanding of the results.”
• “Personalized medicine and effective disease treatment require a complete body of knowledge about both men and women and that the inclusion of women in research benefits the health of all.”
• Dr. Regine Douthard emphasized the importance of studying sex differences in autoimmune diseases, as these conditions often show significant sex-specific variations in prevalence, symptoms, and responses to treatment.

Recommendations for Promoting SABV Research:

• Provide investigators with supplemental funding to add sex and gender components to research.
• Train future investigators in SABV principles.
• Build large study cohorts and emphasize SABV in publications and educational efforts.
• Engage community organizations to spread awareness about SABV research.
• Identify champions within the scientific community to promote SABV initiatives.