TGF-BETA IN THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PROSTATE CANCER

All transforming growth factors beta (TGF？) are cytokines that regulate several cellular functions such as cell growth, differentiation and motility. They may also have a role in immunosuppression. Their role is important for normal prostate development. TGF？ is active in the regulation of balance between epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis through stromal epithelia via the androgen receptor action. TGF？ protects and maintains prostate stem cells, an important population necessary for prostate tissue regeneration. However, TGF？ is shown to have a contrasting role in prostate tumor genesis. In the early stages of tumor development, TGF？ acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas in the later stages, TGF？ becomes a tumor promoter by inducing proliferation, invasion and metastasis. In this review, we outline complex interactions that TGF？-mediated signaling has on prostate tumor genesis, focusing on the role of these interactions during the course of prostate cancer and, in particular, during disease progression