Epidemiological studies demonstrate that the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in women are lower than in
men. However, it is unknown if 17β-estradiol treatment is sufficient to inhibit prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced cellular motility
in human colon cancer cells. Upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is reported to associate with the development of cancer
cell mobility, metastasis, and subsequent malignant tumor. After administration of inhibitors including LY294002 (Akt activation
inhibitor), U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK1/2 inhibitor), or QNZ (NFκB inhibitor),
we found that PGE2 treatment increases COX-2 via Akt and ERK1/2 pathways, thus promoting cellular motility in human LoVo cancer
cells. We further observed that 17β-estradiol treatment inhibits PGE2-induced COX-2 expression and cellular motility via suppressing
activation of Akt and ERK1/2 in human LoVo cancer cells. Collectively, these results suggest that 17β-estradiol treatment
dramatically inhibits PGE2-induced progression of human LoVo colon cancer cells.
