Oncostatin M and IL-6 induce u-PA and VEGF in prostate cancer cells and correlate in vivo.

BACKGROUND/AIM Oncostatin M (OSM) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are growth factors for prostate cancer (PC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and urokinase-type plasminogen-activator (u-PA) have been implicated in tumour progression. A possible interaction between IL-6, OSM, u-PA and VEGF in PC was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary prostate epithelial cells (PPEC) and DU-145 PC cells were treated with IL-6 or OSM and the effects on u-PA and VEGF expression were studied. Plasma levels of IL-6, OSM, u-PA and VEGF were determined in patients with or without PC. RESULTS In DU-145 cells, OSM and IL-6 up-regulated u-PA and VEGF significantly. Higher levels of IL-6 and OSM in metastasising PC than in nonmetastasising PC and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and correlations between IL-6, OSM, u-PA and VEGF were found. CONCLUSION OSM and IL-6 increase u-PA and VEGF in DU-145 cells but not in PPEC and possibly, by promoting matrix degradation and angiogenesis, could play a role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.