Fig. 1

Influence of E2, P4, and T in the prevalence and progression of glioblastoma. Women and men synthesize E2, P4, and T from cholesterol, in the reproductive system, adrenal gland, and brain. Gonadal steroid hormones can also reach the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier. The evidence accumulated to date suggests that E2, P4, and T from both sources have an important role in glioblastoma progression. However, the significance of E2, P4, and T in the 1.6 males:females prevalence of glioblastoma has not been completely determined. Results obtained nowadays suggest that the role of these hormones in glioblastomas depends on the concentration of hormones and the availability of the isoforms or subtypes of their receptors