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Asian Journal of Andrology (2009) 11: 28-35. doi: 10.1038/aja.2008.39; published online 22 December 2008.
Stroma-epithelium crosstalk in prostate cancer
Yi-Nong Niu1 and Shu-Jie Xia2
1 Department of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
2 Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
Correspondence: Prof. Shu-Jie Xia, Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China. Fax: +86-21-6324-1377 E-mail: xsjurologist@163.com
Received 29 October 2008; Accepted 30 October 2008; Published online 22 December 2008.
| Abstract |
The critical role played by stroma?epithelium crosstalk in carcinogenesis and progression of prostate cancer has been increasingly recognized. These interactions are mediated by a variety of paracrine factors secreted by cancer cells and/or stromal cells. In human prostate cancer, reactive stroma is characterized by an increase in myofibroblasts and a corresponding amplification of extracellular matrix production and angiogenesis. Permanent genetic mutations have been reported in stromal cells as well as in tumour cells. Transforming growth factor-, vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor signalling pathways are involved in the process of angiogenesis, whereas hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, epidermal growth factor, CXC12 and Interleukin-6 play active roles in the progression, androgen-independent conversion and distal metastasis of prostate cancer. Some soluble factors have reciprocal interactions with androgens and the androgen receptor (AR), and can even activate AR in the absence of the androgen ligand. In this article, we review the complex interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment, and discuss the potential therapeutic targets in the stromal compartment of prostate cancer.
Keywords: angiogenesis, metastasis, paracrine growth factors, prostate, prostatic neoplasm, stroma |
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