Renin Angiotensin System and Malignancy: a Mini Review

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide (World Health Organization). Therapeutic strategies usually involve a combination of surgical ablation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Apart from conventional chemotherapy, targeting of the tumour vasculature by vascular disrupting agents or inhibitors of angiogenesis has also been used. Several antihypertensive agents have been used to reduce the incidence and mortality of malignancy. We therefore tried to analyze the available data regarding the relationship between rennin angiotensin system and malignancy. The renin–angiotensin system is usually associated with its systemic action on cardiovascular homoeostasis. However, recent studies suggest that at a local tissue level, the renin–angiotensin system influences tumour growth. Several paracrine mechanisms existing at local tissue sites have been implicated in tumourigenesis. One such system is the renin–angiotensin system that exists in several organs at a local tissue level. Epidemiological and experimental studies now suggest that the renin–angiotensin system may contribute to the paracrine regulation of tumourigenesis. Blockade of the renin–angiotensin system may, therefore, provide an alternative, adjunctive therapy for the treatment of solid tumours.