ABSTRACT
Growth factors are members of a family of peptide or glycopeptide hormones which stimulate cell proliferation. Among them, the fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are very potent mitogens in vitro for various cells of mesodermal or neurectodermal origin. From their biological properties, it might be expected that FGF could play a role in carcinogenesis. It has been proposed that the autonomy of tumor growth is in part due to the ability of malignant cells to synthesize, and respond to, their own growth factors. Recent studies have shown that two different oncogenes, int-2 and hst, encode FGF-related proteins. Capillary endothelial cells in culture have three types of responses related to in vivo responses: increased production of proteases which are able to degrade extracellular matrix components; increased mobility; and increased proliferation. Acidic and basic FGF are potent mitotic and/or differentiating agents, transforming agents, and angiogenic agents, which are probably involved in carcinogenesis.
