Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases

Abstract. Because of the anatomical characteristics of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often occurs in the transition zone, whereas prostate cancer (PCa) tends to occur in the peripheral zone. This distribution characteristic indicates that the prostate gland has cell type and distr...

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Main Authors: Gang Wang, Cai Lv, Zhenxiang Liu, Mengxing Huang, Yu Zhang, Jing Chen, Jinyue Hu, Yiling Jin, Zhiming Bai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Health 2025-07-01
Series:Current Urology
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CU9.0000000000000269
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author Gang Wang
Cai Lv
Zhenxiang Liu
Mengxing Huang
Yu Zhang
Jing Chen
Jinyue Hu
Yiling Jin
Zhiming Bai
author_facet Gang Wang
Cai Lv
Zhenxiang Liu
Mengxing Huang
Yu Zhang
Jing Chen
Jinyue Hu
Yiling Jin
Zhiming Bai
author_sort Gang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Because of the anatomical characteristics of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often occurs in the transition zone, whereas prostate cancer (PCa) tends to occur in the peripheral zone. This distribution characteristic indicates that the prostate gland has cell type and distribution heterogeneity. However, the current research cannot answer these questions precisely. As research has progressed, the significance of many newly discovered cell types for the treatment of BPH and PCa has sparked widespread concern. Prostate heterogeneity is closely associated with gland development and formation and the regional distribution of the disease. Prostate heterogeneity can be observed at the gland and cell levels and determines disease distribution, presentation, and characteristics, including changes in the microenvironments of BPH and PCa. Cell population interactions promote disease onset and development; single-cell sequencing techniques may help elucidate specific cell types and gene expression patterns in different prostate zones. The stem cell characteristics of club/hillock cells and the inflammatory environment induced by immune cells offer alternative interpretations of the pathogenic mechanisms of BPH and PCa, and molecular omics studies can help identify novel avenues for treatment development.
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issn 1661-7649
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Health
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series Current Urology
spelling doaj-art-16faf1c95bd140fc9ce7c0eddc0e305f2025-08-20T03:44:28ZengWolters Kluwer HealthCurrent Urology1661-76492025-07-0119424124610.1097/CU9.0000000000000269202507000-00002Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseasesGang Wang0Cai Lv1Zhenxiang Liu2Mengxing Huang3Yu Zhang4Jing Chen5Jinyue Hu6Yiling Jin7Zhiming Bai8a Department of Urology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Chinaa Department of Urology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Chinaa Department of Urology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Chinab School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Chinac College of Computer science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Chinad Department of Radiology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Chinad Department of Radiology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Chinad Department of Radiology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Chinaa Department of Urology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, ChinaAbstract. Because of the anatomical characteristics of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often occurs in the transition zone, whereas prostate cancer (PCa) tends to occur in the peripheral zone. This distribution characteristic indicates that the prostate gland has cell type and distribution heterogeneity. However, the current research cannot answer these questions precisely. As research has progressed, the significance of many newly discovered cell types for the treatment of BPH and PCa has sparked widespread concern. Prostate heterogeneity is closely associated with gland development and formation and the regional distribution of the disease. Prostate heterogeneity can be observed at the gland and cell levels and determines disease distribution, presentation, and characteristics, including changes in the microenvironments of BPH and PCa. Cell population interactions promote disease onset and development; single-cell sequencing techniques may help elucidate specific cell types and gene expression patterns in different prostate zones. The stem cell characteristics of club/hillock cells and the inflammatory environment induced by immune cells offer alternative interpretations of the pathogenic mechanisms of BPH and PCa, and molecular omics studies can help identify novel avenues for treatment development.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CU9.0000000000000269
spellingShingle Gang Wang
Cai Lv
Zhenxiang Liu
Mengxing Huang
Yu Zhang
Jing Chen
Jinyue Hu
Yiling Jin
Zhiming Bai
Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases
Current Urology
title Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases
title_full Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases
title_fullStr Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases
title_full_unstemmed Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases
title_short Gland- and cell-level heterogeneity in the prostate: A narrative review of related diseases
title_sort gland and cell level heterogeneity in the prostate a narrative review of related diseases
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CU9.0000000000000269
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