Endothelium-derived factors as paracrine mediators of prostate cancer progression

BACKGROUND. Vascular endothelium represents a complex network of cells prod ucing a large number of active substrates affecting physiologic, metabolic, and immunologic properties of the whole organism, as well as particular or gans or tissues. The potential influence of endothelium-derived paracrine f actors on prostate cancer progression has only begun to be examined. METHODS. This review summarizes recent literature on endothelium-derived fa ctors, including vasoactive agents, peptide growth factors, cytokines, and colony-stimulating factors, involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer. RESULTS. Endothelial cells produce an array of active substrates, many of w hich have been shown to influence prostate cancer growth. Available data de monstrate the positive impact of such molecules as endothelin-l, basic FGF, TGF-beta, IL-6, and IL-8 on prostate cancer progression. Many other endoth elium-derived factors NO, IGF, PDGF, IL-1, G-CSF, and GM-CSF (Nitric Oxide, Insulin-Like Growth Factor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Interleukin-l, Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor, and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony S timulating Factor) are, at best, implicated in prostate cancer growth, and in most cases support cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS. A better understanding of endothelium-derived factors, as para crine mediators of prostate carcinogenesis and progression, should aid in t he development of novel therapeutic strategies. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.