Increased angiotensin II type-2 receptor density in hyperplasia, DCIS and invasive carcinoma of the breast is paralleled with increased iNOS expression.

Binding of angiotensin II on the angiotensin II type-1 receptor induces cell growth, while triggering via the angiotensin II type-2 (AT(2)) receptor causes an opposing effect of growth inhibition and apoptosis. AT(2) receptor stimulation has also been shown to enhance inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, an enzyme associated with cancer. To study the involvement of the angiotensin II receptors and iNOS in the carcinogenesis of human breast, we visualised both factors in tissues from patients with hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation.