Androgens stimulate hypoxia-inducible factor 1 activation via autocrine loop of tyrosine kinase receptor/phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/protein kinase B in prostate cancer cells.

Androgens activate HIF-1, driving VEGF expression in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells. This regulation is mediated through an autocrine loop involving EGF/phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/protein kinase B, which in turn activate HIF-1alpha and HIF-1-regulated gene expression. Therapeutic actions of antiandrogens in PCA include inhibition of HIF-1 function.