Am J Clin Exp Urol 2013;1(1):3-11
Review Article
Infections and inflammation in prostate cancer
Karen S Sfanos, William B Isaacs, Angelo M De Marzo
Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287; Department of
Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Received December 20, 2013; Accepted December 23, 2013; Epub December 25, 2013; Published December 30,
2013
Abstract: The frequent observation of both acute and chronic inflammation of unknown stimulus in the adult
prostate has motivated a large body of research aimed at identifying potential infectious agents that may elicit
prostatic inflammation. The overarching hypothesis is that infection-induced inflammation may be associated with
prostate cancer development or progression, as inflammation is known to serve as an “enabling characteristic” of
cancer. With recent advances in molecular techniques for microorganism identification, a panoply of
microorganisms has been scrutinized in prostate tissues and in relation to prostate carcinogenesis. The aim of
this review is to summarize the current literature on the evidence for infectious agents as a contributing factor to
prostatic inflammation and prostate cancer, and to highlight recent literature suggesting an infectious etiology to
the biogenesis of prostatic corpora amylacea and on the development of mouse models of prostatic infections.
(AJCEU1312003).
Keywords: Infections, prostatitis, prostate cancer, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, animal models
Address correspondence to: Karen S Sfanos, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB II Rm. 1M43, Baltimore, MD 21231. Tel: 443-287-4592; Fax: 410-502-9817; E-
mail: ksfanos@jhmi.edu

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