Ulcerative colitis: From inflammation to cancer. Do estrogen receptors have a role?

Figure 1 progressive steps of ulcerative colitis-related carcinogenesis, genetic pathways and estrogen receptors alpha and beta patterns.

Figure 2 Estrogen receptors beta and interactions with genes involved in the regulation of cell cycle. Estrogen receptors (ER) beta has an antagonist inhibitory function, mediated by the down-regulation of proto-oncogenes c-myc and cyclins (as indicated by minus sign next to the arrow on the left side) and up-regulation of oncosoppressants p21 and p27 (as indicated by plus sign next to the arrow on the right side). In the lowest part of the figure is indicated the cell cycle phases and the site of its interaction with ER beta induced mediators (G2 phase).

Figure 3 Alpha and beta estrogen receptors balance in normal and neoplastic colon.