Sex-biased inflammatory differences are exhibited in autoimmune disease by various genetic markers, however one genetic marker that stands above the rest is a molecule known as vestigial-like family member 3 (VGLL3). VGLL3 has been shown to be important for myogenic lineage development, adipocyte differentiation, maturity in Atlantic salmon, inflammatory pathways, and more recently, as a female-biased signature in autoimmune disease. Whether VGLL3 plays a similar role in cancer is still unknown. Here, we reviewed VGLL3’s role in reproductive malignancies, specifically breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer. VGLL3 is extensively tied to the risk, development, and progression in these cancers, and despite the widespread mechanisms, there is an opportunity to deepen that understanding for precision nutrition and cancer prevention. Cervical cancer remains a fully preventable disease and these findings are novel in the specificity and intricacy of disease, as well as potential ability to prevent and treat cancer in a sex-conscious manner. The long-term benefits of prevention lessen the emotional, physical, and economic burden of disease.
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