| ROLE
OF ASYMPTOMATIC INFLAMMATION IN PROSTATIC GROWTH DYSREGULATION
Mark R Feneley Institute of Urology, University College London |
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This project will investigate the hypothesis that prostatic inflammation causes abnormal growth in the prostate, and that non-symptomatic inflammation may influence other prostatic diseases through inflammatory mediators and abnormal androgen signalling.
This study will examine the various 'types' of inflammation seen in association with other underlying prostatic disease. Asymptomatic prostatic inflammation is a common histological finding in patients having surgery for BPH. Inflammation is also seen associated with various histological abnormalities in radical prostatectomy specimens. Differences in the types of inflammation will be related to the underlying prostatic disease.
The causes and biological significance of asymptomatic inflammation in the prostate are currently poorly understood. Specific derangement of factors regulating prostatic cell growth and differentiation associated with inflammation may be relevant to the development or progression of benign, premalignant or malignant prostatic disease. It is well established that BPH and prostate cancer are dependent on androgen signalling, and both affect PSA levels. There is growing evidence that the physiological actions of androgens, as well as PSA (an androgen dependent protein), may be influenced by prostatic inflammation. Prostatic inflammation may disrupt normal regulatory mechanisms, and be itself sensitive to steroid signalling.
This research project will characterise asymptomatic prostatic inflammation detected histologically in surgical specimens. It will evaluate the relationship between inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic atrophy, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate cancer (PC) where these conditions develop in the same individual and internal environment. The project will be carried out in the Department of Histopathology, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), in collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Research Centre (PCRC). Funding is sought for materials and laboratory costs. The findings will be used to develop further more detailed studies, and submitted for publication and presentation at national meetings.
Research summary, 06 March 2007.
Project 2006/06