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Relaxin-like peptides in cancer

Josh D Silvertown1, Alastair J S Summerlee, Thomas Klonisch

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

International Journal of Cancer
|October 2, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Relaxin and INSL3 hormones influence tumor growth, invasion, and blood vessel formation. Their receptors, LGR7 and LGR8, reveal auto/paracrine actions in cancer, highlighting their etiological roles.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Relaxin-like hormones, including relaxin and INSL3 (insulin-like 3), are involved in tumor cell growth, differentiation, invasion, and neovascularization.
  • The discovery of relaxin receptors LGR7 and LGR8 provides evidence for auto/paracrine signaling of these hormones within tumor tissues.
  • These findings suggest significant roles for relaxin-like peptides in cancer biology and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expression of relaxin and INSL3 in human neoplastic tissues.
  • To discuss the etiological roles of these peptide hormones in cancer development.
  • To elucidate the cellular pathways mediating the effects of relaxin-like peptides in neoplasia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on relaxin and INSL3 expression in human cancers.
  • Analysis of research on the functions of relaxin and INSL3 receptors (LGR7, LGR8) in tumor biology.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on cellular signaling pathways linking these hormones to cancer progression.

Main Results:

  • Relaxin and INSL3 are expressed in various human neoplastic tissues.
  • Relaxin-like peptides influence tumor cell growth, differentiation, and invasion.
  • Relaxin promotes angiogenesis via nitric oxide and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and facilitates invasion by modulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Conclusions:

  • Relaxin and INSL3 play significant etiological roles in cancer.
  • The identified receptors and signaling pathways provide a basis for understanding relaxin-like actions in tumor biology.
  • Further research into these hormones may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

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