The relevance of a hypoxic tumour microenvironment in prostate cancer.
Research into the hypoxic tumour microenvironment is accelerating and the reversal of hypoxia is increasingly being suggested as a mechanism for improving cancer treatment. Recent studies have suggested that hypoxia is also a feature in prostate cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. Hypoxia has been shown to cause radio-resistance and hence hamper one of the major treatments for prostate cancer. However, unlike other solid tumours, such as cervical and head-and-neck cancer, there are inconsistencies and unanswered questions about the relevance of hypoxia in prostate cancer. This review outlines the role of low-oxygen conditions in prostate cancer and the areas where further studies are required.
Stewart
Grant D
GD
Prostate Research Group, Department of Urology, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK. grant.stewart@ed.ac.uk
Ross
James A
JA
McLaren
Duncan B
DB
Parker
Christopher C
CC
Habib
Fouad K
FK
Riddick
Antony C P
AC
D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A