HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY

Cellular and Molecular Biology

 

Review

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor and prostate cancer: a review

R.A. Hurle1, G. Davies1, C. Parr1, M.D. Mason2, S.A. Jenkins3, H.G. Kynaston3 and W.G. Jiang1

1Metastasis and Angiogenesis Research Group, Department of Surgery, Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, 2Department of Clinical Oncology, Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff and 3Department of Urology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK

Offprint requests to: Dr. R.A. Hurle, Metastasis and Angiogenesis Research Group, Department of Surgery, Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK. e-mail: rhidian.hurle@cardiffandvale.wales.nhs.uk


Summary. Men who die from prostate cancer do so from uncontrolled metastatic disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to prevent its natural progression. Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Scatter factor (HGF/SF) has been demonstrated to elicit a number of key functions in numerous tissues that are important in the progression, invasion and metastasis of cancer. Studies have demonstrated that the activity of HGF/SF and its receptor c-Met are linked to disease progression in numerous cancers. However, research into these functions, which include activities as a mitogen, a motogen and an anti-apoptotic and angiogenic factor in prostate cancer are limited. This article reviews the published evidence of the roles HGF/SF plays in prostate cancer progression and highlights the clinical and therapeutic potential of research into this pleiomorphic cytokine. Histol Histopathol 20, 1339-1349 (2005)

Key words: Hepatocyte growth factor, scatter factor, c-Met, Prostate cancer

DOI: 10.14670/HH-20.1339