The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates physiological functions of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and other tissues. Various in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that RAS plays a pivotal role in the development of malignant tumors, while several retrospective studies have confirmed that patients undergoing long-term RAS inhibitors (RASi) treatment have a lowered risk of cancer. Moreover, blocking RAS has been shown to inhibit tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in various experimental models of malignant tumors. Herein, we review the available RASi-related literature and provide an analysis using the scientific atlas software VOSviewer. We observed that recent studies have primarily focused on gene expression, tumor biology, and survival analysis. Through an in-depth data analysis from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx), we identified the impact of AGTR1, an essential component of RAS, on tumors, and we discuss the underlying biological mechanism of RASi. Furthermore, we outline the research progress and potential use of RASi in tumor treatment. Overall, RASi may be a promising adjunct in cancer therapy.
Keywords: AGTR1; RAS inhibitors; Renin-angiotensin system; angiotensin receptor blockers; tumor.
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