Issues

The cover image is a photomicrograph (60X magnification) of immunocytochemical staining for estrogen receptor-β (ER-β) expression in cultured human HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Associated with colon carcinogenesis, ER-β expression is a potential target for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment. The receptor's expression in human colon cancer cells is highly localized in the nuclei (intense brownish, dark staining). Sporadic colorectal cancer models suggest that ER-β expression (protein and RNA) is selectively associated with cells of colorectal tumors but not normal-appearing epithelia. Furthermore, the selective estrogen-receptor modulator raloxifene suppressed human colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. These findings support the promise of ER-β as a target for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. See article by Janakiram et al. (beginning on page 52) for more information.