Epidermal growth factor-related peptides and the epidermal growth factor receptor in normal and malignant prostate

摘要: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming factor-alpha (TGF alpha) are two closely related peptides that interact with cell-surface epidermal receptors (EGFR) to induce receptor tyrosine phosphorylation activation of intracellular signal-transduction pathways. EGF appears be the predominant EGF-related in normal prostate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Evidence indicates TGF alpha important for maintainence structural functional integrity epithelium. The primarily localized secretory epithelium prostate, their production secretion is augmented by presence circulating androgens. EGFR located basal/neuroendocrine (NE) compartment exhibit relatively androgen-independent expression. also present neoplastic tissues. There currently no direct evidence implicate pathogenesis BPH. However, appear play a role carcinoma cells, being factor. Numerous investigators have demonstrated significance alpha/EGFR-mediated autocrine pathway cultured cells. Studies cancer but not epithelial demonstrate constitutive EGFR. Androgen-independent cells more expression than do androgen-responsive Most studies indicate androgen-stimulated Several correlated increased nuclear size tumor dedifferentiation. Future should focus on determining both prognostic whether manipulation EGFR-mediated can exploited therapeutic benefit human cancer.