Bone morphogenetic protein-6: potential mediator of osteoblastic metastases in prostate cancer

The mechanisms by which prostate cancer metastasizes to bone with a strong osteoblastic reaction remain poorly understood. Several factors have been p reviously implicated, including transforming growth factor-beta, fibroblast growth factors, endothelin-1 and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). BMP-6 expression has been shown exclusively in the malignant epithelial cells of prostate cancers that have metastasized, but not in organ confined disease . Expression of BMP-6 in radical prostatectomy specimens has been shown to correlate with increased recurrence rates and decreased survival. This arti cle presents the results of work by the authors' group in this field and a current literature review.