Angiotensin receptors: a new role in cancer?

There is increasing evidence that Angiotensin II (AngII), a major regulator of blood pressure and cardiovascular homeostasis, is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation and tissue remodeling, which suggests that this peptide might also play a role in cancer. This review focuses on the expression and function of Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and AngII receptors in various aspects of cancer. Recent experimental data suggests that ACE inhibitors and AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists have beneficial effects on tumor progression, vascularization and metastasis, and that the AngII type 2 receptor (AT2R) subtype has a potential role in cancer. An overview of the major intracellular signaling pathways associated with AT1R and AT2R activation in cancer cells, as well as in endothelial and inflammatory cells, is presented here.