Proliferative diseases.

A unifying concept that excessive proliferation of cells and turnover of cellular matrix contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma and cirrhosis of the liver, is presented. As corollaries to this concept, the following topics are considered: (1) the role of polypeptide hormones and hormone-like mediators in the initiation, promotion and maintenance of proliferative responses; (2) alterations in collagen metabolism and collagenase activity; (3) the role of proteinases; (4) the potential use of inhibitors of proteinases for prevention of disease; and (5) the potential use of inhibitors of proliferative polypeptide hormones for prevention of disease. As specific proteolytic and proliferative biochemical mechanisms which contribute to the pathogenesis of disease become identified, there is a unique opportunity to develop new pharmacologic methods of prevention.