Histamine as an autocrine growth factor: an unusual role for a widespread mediator

The involvement of histamine in cancer growth represents an old controversy and direct experimental evidence proving this hypothesis is not still available. In this paper we review the most relevant mechanisms referring to the role of histamine receptors, histidine decarboxylase and histamine release in the onset of an autocrine loop, that enables histamine to act as an autocrine growth factor. We postulate that this autocrine loop, that has been studied in an experimental mammary carcinoma model induced in rats, may be present in different human neoplasias. Therefore, the better understanding of this novel regulatory pathway that is controlled by histamine may contribute to identifying new therapeutic targets.