Estrogen represses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth via inhibiting alternative activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocarcinoma cancer (HCC) occurs more often in men than in women, and little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

We identify that 17β-estradiol (E2) could suppress tumor growth via regulating the polarization of macrophages.

Conclusion

Estrogen functions as a suppressor for macrophage alternative activation.

Significance

These studies introduce a novel mechanism for suppressing male-predominant HCC. Hepatocarcinoma cancer (HCC), one of the most malignant cancers, occurs significantly more often in men than in women; however, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we identified that 17β-estradiol (E2) could suppress tumor growth via regulating the polarization of macrophages. We showed that E2 re-adm

SUBMITTER: Yang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3504728 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature