Estrogen and Tumors: For Better or for Worse?

摘要

In ther report "gender disparity in liver cancer due to sex differences in MyD88-dependent IL-6 production" (6 July, p. 121), W. E. Naugler et al. clearly demonstrated the role of IL-6 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice. In addition, a single estradiol injection in male mice reduced the acute phase response to a carcinogenic injection to levels observed in female mice, in terms of IL-6 production and liver cell damage. However, great caution should be taken before concluding that estrogen-mimetic compounds could prevent progression to HCC in male patients with chronic liver disease.