Pharmacology and new perspectives of angiotensin II receptor blocker in prostate cancer treatment

Although a low prevalence of cancer in hypertensive patients receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors has been reported, the molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. It is known that angiotensin-II (Ang-II) plays a fundamental role not only as a vasoconstrictor in controlling blood pressure and electrolyte and fluid homeostasis, but also as a mitogenic factor through the Ang-II type-1 (AT1) receptor in cardiovascular cells. Interestingly, there is increasing evidence that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is implicated in the development of various cancers. As we previously reported, AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs), a class of antihypertensive agent, have the potential to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and tumors through the AT1 receptor. This review provides an insight into the key role of Ang-II and the AT1 receptor, and the possibility of ARBs for molecular targeting of mitogenesis and angiogenesis in prostate cancer.