[Cancer and renin-angiotensin system].

Besides the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a critical role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, there is accumulating molecular and in vivo evidence to demonstrate that the RAS is implicated in the development or invasion of several kinds of cancer tissue. Recent studies indicate that AT1 receptor blockers have the anti-tumor effect in various cancers by inhibiting angiogenesis. Furthermore, some angiotensin peptides including angiotensin 1-7 have been clarified to influence malignancy, and the insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin converting enzyme gene is likely to be associated with the risk of cancer. This article provides an overview of important aspects on the cutting edge of RAS in some kinds of cancer.