[Regulation of prostatic growth, pathogenesis of prostatic adenoma and cancer]

This review discusses the molecular mechanism of the regulation of prostate growth, maintenance of the prostate integrity and possible disturbances in these processes leading to the development of prostatic cancer and benign hyperplasia. The role of hormones, growth factors, oncogenes is described in more details. The participation of the angiotensin converting enzyme and renin-angiotensin systems in the regulation of polyamine synthesis in the prostate and the regulation of prostate growth is assumed.