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Review
. 2015 May 13;15(2):1-8.
doi: 10.17305/bjbms.2015.449.

Prostate cancer stroma: an important factor in cancer growth and progression

Božo Krušlin  1 , Monika Ulamec, Davor Tomas
Affiliations
Review

Prostate cancer stroma: an important factor in cancer growth and progression

Božo Krušlin et al. Bosn J Basic Med Sci. .

Abstract

Reactive stromal changes that occur in different human cancers might play a role in local tumor spreading and progression. Studies done on various human cancers have shown activated stromal cell phenotypes, modified extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and increased microvessel density. Furthermore, they exhibit biological markers consistent with stroma at the site of wound repair. In prostate cancer, stroma is composed of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Predominant cells in the tumorous stroma are, however, fibroblasts/ myofibroblasts. They are responsible for the synthesis, deposition and remodeling of the ECM. Epithelial tumorous cells, in interaction with stromal cells and with the help of various molecules of ECM, create a microenvironment suitable for cancer cell proliferation, movement, and differentiation. In this review, we discussed the role of different stromal components in prostate cancer as well as their potential prognostic and therapeutic significance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mallory or Masson trichrome staining in A) benign prostate hyperplasia (x400) and B) prostate cancer (x400).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immunohistochemical laminin staining in A) benign prostate hyperplasia, showing positive cells in stroma (x400) and B) prostate cancer, showing negative cells in stroma (x400).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunohistochemical tenascin-C staining in A) benign prostate hyperplasia, showing negative cells in stroma (x400) and B) prostate cancer, showing positive cells in stroma (x400).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Immunohistochemical galectin-3 staining in prostate cancer, showing negative cells in stroma (x400).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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