Title:Hypoxia and Inflammation in Prostate Cancer Progression. Cross-talk with Androgen and Estrogen Receptors and Cancer Stem Cells
Volume: 16
Issue: 4
Author(s): Matteo Antonio Russo, Linda Ravenna, Laura Pellegrini, Elisa Petrangeli, Luisa Salvatori, Thea Magrone, Massimo Fini and Marco Tafani
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Androgen and estrogen receptors, cancer stem cells, hypoxia, inflammation, prostate cancer, molecular
rehabilitation.
Abstract: Tumors are complex tissues in which transformed cells communicate with the surrounding
microenvironment and evolve traits promoting their own survival and malignancy. Hypoxia and
inflammation are constant characteristics of prostate tumor microenvironment influencing both cancer
stem cells and differentiated tumor cells. HIFs and NF-kB are the key regulators of the transcriptional
response to hypoxic and inflammatory stresses, respectively, and a crosstalk between HIFs and NF-kB
pathways has been widely documented. Similarly, androgen and estrogen signaling, that play important
roles in the growth and function of normal prostate gland, when deregulated, have a significant part in
the acquisition of hallmarks of malignant diseases. Moreover, androgen and estrogen receptors have been
shown to intersect with the HIF/NF-kB signaling in prostate cancer. Aim of this review is to present the
current knowledge regarding the crucial role, in prostate cancer progression, of a molecular network
linking hypoxia, pro-inflammatory response and steroid receptors.