Paradoxical Roles of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Prostate Cancer Biology

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with dual roles in cancer biology including prostate cancer (PCa). On the one hand, there is evidence that it stimulates tumour angiogenesis, is involved in the initiation of PCa from an androgen-dependent to a castrate resistant state, plays a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brian W. C. Tse, Kieran F. Scott, Pamela J. Russell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
Series:Prostate Cancer
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/128965
Description
Summary:Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with dual roles in cancer biology including prostate cancer (PCa). On the one hand, there is evidence that it stimulates tumour angiogenesis, is involved in the initiation of PCa from an androgen-dependent to a castrate resistant state, plays a role in epithelial to mesenchymal plasticity, and may contribute to the aberrant regulation of eicosanoid pathways. On the other hand, TNF has also been reported to inhibit neovascularisation, induce apoptosis of PCa cells, and stimulate antitumour immunity. Much of the confusion surrounding its seemingly paradoxical roles in cancer biology stems from the dependence of its effects on the biological model within which TNF is investigated. This paper will address some of these issues and also discuss the therapeutic implications.
ISSN:2090-3111
2090-312X