This review postulates the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I/IGF-II) signaling in stromal cells during prostate carcinogenesis and progression. It is known that stromal cells have a reciprocal relationship to the adjacent epithelial cells in the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of the prostate. An interaction between TGF-βand IGF signaling occupies a central part in this stromal-epithelial interaction. An increase in TGF-βand IGF signaling will set off the imbalance of this relationship and will lead to cancer development. A continuous input from TGF-βand IGF in the tumor microenvironment will result in cancer progression. Understanding of these events can help prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of prostate cancer.
The Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β–Mediated Tumor-Stroma Interactions in Prostate Cancer Progression: An Integrative Approach
