EXPRESSION OF THE VEGF-RECEPTOR Flt-1 IN BENIGN, PREMALIGNANT AND MALIGNANT PROSTATE TISSUES

Abstract

Widespread distribution of VEGF receptor Flt-1 in BPH, PIN and prostate cancer specimens suggests that VEGF function in prostate is not restricted to endothelial cells and angiogenesis. However, since the receptor is lost in CaP cells and with tumor dedifferentiation, these yet unknown effects of VEGF on epithelial cells are obviously suppressed with malignant transformation.