Bone extracellular matrix induces homeobox proteins independent of androgens: Possible mechanism for androgen-independent growth in human prostate cancer cells

Abstract

Bone ECM, in the absence of DHT, has the ability to regulate androgen-responsive genes. Furthermore, many of these genes contain homeobox binding sites and the expression of homeobox genes may itself be regulated by bone ECM. If so, this may partially explain the clinical observation that bone provides a fertile "soil" for prostate cancer growth and metastasis.