Autocrine PDGF stimulation in malignancies

Abstract

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms are important mitogens for different types of mesenchymal cells, which have important functions during the embryonal development and in the adult during wound healing and tissue homeostasis. In tumors, PDGF isoforms are often over-expressed and contribute to the growth of both normal and malignant cells. This review focuses on tumors expressing PDGF isoforms together with their tyrosine kinase receptors, thus resulting in autocrine stimulation of growth and survival. Patients with such tumors could benefit from treatment with inhibitors of either PDGF or PDGF receptors.

Key words::

• Molecular biology
• oncogenes
• tumor biology

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Bengt Westermark for a more than 35-year-long very enjoyable collaboration and friendship. Bengt's vision and sharp analysis have been of utmost importance for all our work. I would also like to thank Ingegärd Schiller for help in the preparation of this manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.