title: Bone morphogenetic protein-6: potential mediator of osteoblastic metastases in prostate cancer.
abstract: The mechanisms by which prostate cancer metastasizes to bone with a strong osteoblastic reaction remain poorly understood. Several factors have been previously 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 article presents the results of work by the authors' group in this field and a current literature review. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2000) 3, 283-285
authors.affiliation: Section of Urology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Hamdy