Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System Components in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review

The physiological aspects of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components are described in this review. Additionally, we present the main results of studies that could indicate an association between alterations in these components and cancer, particularly renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

The RAS undergoes a series of homeostatic and modulatory processes that extend to hypertrophy, hyperplasia, fibrosis, and remodeling, as well as angiogenesis, pro-inflammatory responses, cell differentiation, stem cell programming, and hematopoiesis. The link between cancer-related inflammation and RAS signaling converge in the response to tumor hypoxia and oxidative stress mechanisms, particularly with the angiotensin type 1 receptor leading to activation of transcription factors such as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), as well as members of the signal transducer and activation of transcription (STAT) family and HIF1⍺. Dysregulation of the physiological actions of RAS in the microenvironment of inflammation and angiogenesis promotes tumor cell growth.