title: The endothelin axis: emerging role in cancer.
abstract: Collectively, the endothelins and their receptors--referred to as the endothelin (ET) axis--have key physiological functions in normal tissue, acting as modulators of vasomotor tone, tissue differentiation, development, cell proliferation and hormone production. Based on new data, the ET axis also functions in the growth and progression of various tumours. Preliminary results from clinical trials, such as those with atrasentan--an ET(A)-receptor antagonist--in prostate cancer, are encouraging. The place of ET-receptor antagonists in cancer therapy for a range of malignancies merits further investigation.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5200 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. nelsonjb@msx.upmc.edu
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagnato
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Battistini
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nisen
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077868:Atrasentan; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D016232:Endothelins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D016232:Endothelins; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D000077868:Atrasentan