Sunitinib malate (SU-11248) alone or in combination with low-dose docetaxel inhibits the growth of DU-145 prostate cancer xenografts

The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of the antiangiogenic agent SU-11248 (sunitinib malate, Sutent^®), alone or in combination with docetaxel. To this end, animals bearing DU-145 human hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) xenografts were treated with sunitinib (40 mg/kg daily, p.o.), docetaxel (10 or 30 mg/kg/week, i.v.), a combination of sunitinib (40 mg/kg daily) and docetaxel (10 mg/kg/week) or vehicle alone. At the end of the 3-week dosing schedule, single-agent treatment induced a tumor regression of 59%, 49% and 75% for sunitinib, docetaxel 10 mg/kg, and docetaxel 30 mg/kg, respectively. The combination of sunitinib with low-dose (10 mg/kg) docetaxel produced a tumor regression comparable to that obtained with high-dose (30 mg/kg) docetaxel, but tolerability was higher as indicated by mice weight. Both sunitinib and docetaxel inhibited tumor regrowth after initial treatment with the alternate drug. These results suggest that sunitinib alone or in combination with low-dose docetaxel may have a role in the treatment of HRPC.     

前列腺癌干细胞相关肿瘤标志物的研究进展

前列腺癌(prostate cancer,PCa)是男性常见的恶性肿瘤。内分泌治疗是晚期前列腺癌的主要治疗方法,但该方法易使其发展成为激素难治性前列腺癌,且暂无切实有效的治疗方法。近年来的研究发现,前列腺癌干细胞在前列腺癌的发生、发展和转移中起着关键作用,因此前列腺癌干细胞的靶向治疗可能是根治前列腺癌的有效途径。靶向前列腺癌干细胞治疗需首先明确前列腺癌干细胞标志物,尤其是其特异标志物,才能更好地开展前列腺癌根治方案的研究。目前前列腺癌干细胞标志物的研究主要集中于CD44和CD133,但随着研究的不断深入其开始受到质疑,且发现了更多新的标志物,本文主要对前列腺癌干细胞领域研究较广和较新发现的肿瘤标志物进行综述。      

Interleukin-6 inhibits the growth of prostate cancer xenografts in mice by the process of neuroendocrine differentiation

In vitro, the human prostate cancer (PCA) cell line LNCaP can be permanently transdifferentiated into a quiescent neuroendocrine (NE) phenotype by the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Recently, we have shown that the growth of prostate cancer cells is significantly suppressed when cocultured with NE cells. In order to explore the inhibitory activity of IL-6 on prostate tumor growth, nude mice bearing xenografts of the PCA cell lines LNCaP and DU-145 (a line that is incapable of NE transdifferentiation by IL-6 in vitro) were treated with IL-6 for 3 weeks, either injected around the tumor or systematically released from implanted minipumps. Both administration forms of IL-6 inhibited the growth of LNCaP xenografts by more than 75% compared to the control group. In contrast, there was no difference in DU-145 tumor growth between IL-6-treated animals and controls. In comparison to control and DU-145 tumors, both IL-6 injected and pump-infused LNCaP tumors exhibited a significant increase in the expression of the NE markers neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and betaIII tubulin. Serum NSE levels were also significantly elevated in both IL-6-treated LNCaP tumor groups when compared to controls. IL-6 treatment resulted in G(0) cell cycle accumulation as evidenced by a loss of Ki-67 expression in > 90% of LNCaP tumor cells. These combined results demonstrate that IL-6-induced NE transdifferentiation of PCA cells has a significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth in mice. Agents, like IL-6, capable of NE transdifferentiation of PCA cells, should be considered as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of prostate cancer.     

Salinomycin inhibits prostate cancer growth and migration via induction of oxidative stress

Background:

We have shown that a sodium ionophore monensin inhibits prostate cancer cell growth. A structurally related compound to monensin, salinomycin, was recently identified as a putative cancer stem cell inhibitor.

Methods:

The growth inhibitory potential of salinomycin was studied in a panel of prostate cells. To get insights into the mechanism of action, a variety of assays such as gene expression and steroid profiling were performed in salinomycin-exposed prostate cancer cells.

Results:

Salinomycin inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells, but did not affect non-malignant prostate epithelial cells. Salinomycin impacted on prostate cancer stem cell functions as evidenced by reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and the fraction of CD44⁺ cells. Moreover, salinomycin reduced the expression of MYC, AR and ERG, induced oxidative stress as well as inhibited nuclear factor-κB activity and cell migration. Furthermore, profiling steroid metabolites revealed increased levels of oxidative stress-inducing steroids 7-ketocholesterol and aldosterone and decreased levels of antioxidative steroids progesterone and pregnenolone in salinomycin-exposed prostate cancer cells.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that salinomycin inhibits prostate cancer cell growth and migration by reducing the expression of key prostate cancer oncogenes, inducing oxidative stress, decreasing the antioxidative capacity and cancer stem cell fraction.     

A prostate secretory protein94-derived synthetic peptide PCK3145 inhibits VEGF signalling in endothelial cells: implication in tumor angiogenesis

We have previously observed that the synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 31-45 (PCK3145) of PSP94 can reduce prostate tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, a recently concluded phase IIa clinical trial with patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer indicated that PCK3145 down-regulates the levels of plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, a MMP involved in metastasis and tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of our study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of PCK3145 and whether this peptide could antagonize tumor neovascularization. We show that, in a syngeneic in vivo model of rat prostate cancer, the expression of endothelial cell (EC) specific CD31, a marker of tumor vessel density, was decreased by 43% in PCK3145-treated animals. In vitro, PCK3145 specifically antagonized in a dose-dependent manner the VEGF-induced ERK phosphorylation as well as the phosphorylation of the VEGFR-2 in cultured EC (HUVEC). These anti-VEGF effects were partly reproduced by pharmacological inhibitors such as PD98059 and PTK787, suggesting that PCK3145 inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated to VEGFR-2, which in turn prevents intracellular signalling through the MAPK cascade. Moreover, PCK3145 was also found to inhibit the PDGF-induced phosphorylation of PDGFR in smooth muscle cells. Finally, PCK3145 inhibited in vitro EC tubulogenesis and VEGF-induced MMP-2 secretion suggesting its potential implication as an antiangiogenic agent. Our study demonstrates that PCK3145 interferes with the tyrosine kinase activity associated with VEGF signalling axis in EC. The antiangiogenic properties of this peptide could be highly beneficial and exploited in novel antiangiogenic therapies, for patients with various cancers.     

Post-translational regulation of COX2 activity by FYN in prostate cancer cells

While increased COX2 expression and prostaglandin levels are elevated in human cancers, the mechanisms of COX2 regulation at the post-translational level are unknown. Initial observation that COX2 forms adduct with non-receptor tyrosine kinase FYN, prompted us to study FYN-mediated post-translational regulation of COX2. We found that FYN increased COX2 activity in prostate cancer cells DU145, independent of changes in COX2 or COX1 protein expression levels. We report that FYN phosphorylates human COX2 on Tyr 446, and while corresponding phospho-mimetic COX2 mutation promotes COX2 activity, the phosphorylation blocking mutation prevents FYN-mediated increase in COX2 activity.     

E2F5和MYC癌基因在前列腺癌中的表达及其意义

目的： 检测染色体8q21~24区域E2F5和MYC癌基因在前列腺癌 (prostate cancer,PCa) 细胞系、癌组织及癌旁组织中的表达,分析其表达水平与临床病理参数的关系,并探讨其意义。方法：采用DNA qPCR检测PCa细胞系Du145、LNCap、PC3和PCa组织标本中E2F5和MYC基因DNA拷贝数,Western blot和免疫组织化学技术检测前列腺癌和癌旁组织中E2F5和MYC蛋白的表达,结合患者临床病理参数进一步验证和分析蛋白表达及其临床意义。结果：DNA qPCR结果显示,PCa组织中E2F5和MYC DNA拷贝数较癌旁组织明显增加 (P<0.05或P<0.01),但在癌细胞系中其表达与对照组比较无明显变化 (P>0.05)。Western blot显示,在PCa组织中E2F5和MYC蛋白表达水平显著高于癌旁组织 (P<0.05或P<0.01)。免疫组化染色发现,与癌旁良性组织相比,E2F5和MYC蛋白表达显著增加 (P均<0.01)。而且,E2F5的过表达与高的Gleason评分 (P<0.01)、临床分期 (P=0.01)、阳性转移 (P <0.01)、生化复发阳性 (P<0.01)相关。MYC的过表达与阳性转移 (P=0.02)、生化复发阳性 (P=0.02)相关。且PCa组织中E2F5和MYC蛋白表达两者呈正相关关系 (rs=0.5,P<0.01)。结论：E2F5和MYC的表达增加可能与PCa的发生发展密切相关,E2F5可能是PCa新的潜在候选分子标志物。     

Disseminated tumor cells and their prognostic significance in nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients

Detection of pretreatment disseminated cells (pre‐DTC) reflecting its homing to bone marrow (BM) in prostate cancer (PCa) might improve the current model to predict recurrence or survival in men with nonmetastatic disease despite of primary treatment. Thereby, pre‐DTC may serve as an early prognostic biomarker. Post‐treatment DTCs (post‐DTC) finding may supply the clinician with additional predictive information about the possible course of PCa. To assess the prognostic impact of DTCs in BM aspirates sampled before initiation of primary therapy (pre‐DTC) and at least 2 years after (post‐DTC) to established prognostic factors and survival in patients with PCa. Available BM of 129 long‐term follow‐up patients with T1‐3N0M0 PCa was assessed in addition to 100 BM of those in whom a pretreatment BM was sampled. Patients received either combined therapy [n = 81 (63%)], radiotherapy (RT) with different duration of hormone treatment (HT) or monotherapy with RT or HT alone [n = 48 (37%)] adapted to the criteria of the SPCG‐7 trial. Mononuclear cells were deposited on slides according to the cytospin methodology and DTCs were identified by immunocytochemistry using the pancytokeratin antibodies AE1/AE3. The median age of men at diagnosis was 64.5 years (range 49.5–73.4 years). The median long‐term follow‐up from first BM sampling to last observation was 11 years. Categorized clinically relevant factors in PCa showed only pre‐DTC status as the statistically independent parameter for survival in the multivariate analysis. Pre‐DTCs homing to BM are significantly associated with clinically relevant outcome independent to the patient's treatment at diagnosis with nonmetastatic PCa.     

Circulating tumor cells as a predictive biomarker in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

Introduction

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration by using the Cellsearch platform has established prognostic and predictive value in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Limited information exists regarding the clinical utility of CTC enumeration in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The goal of this study was to prospectively determine the relative clinical utility of CTCs in mHSPC.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed serial CTC in conjunction with other classic biomarkers in 33 consecutive patients treated at the Nevada Cancer Institute with HSPC initiating androgen deprivation therapy and correlated these patients with prognostic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) endpoints and onset of CRPC.

Results

Initial CTC correlated positively with lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, and were unrelated to PSA and testosterone. In univariate analysis, baseline CTC, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, testosterone, and follow-up CTC were individual predictors of progression to CRPC. In a multivariate Cox regression, only baseline CTC retained independent predictive value. Threshold analysis revealed the cutpoint that optimized specificity and sensitivity of the test to be 3 cells per 7.5 mL whole blood. Baseline CTC also correlated well with PSA nadir benchmarks.

Conclusions

Initial CTC values predict the duration and magnitude of response to hormonal therapy. CTC enumeration may identify patients at risk of progression to CRPC before initiation of androgen deprivation therapy.     

Dietary protein restriction inhibits tumor growth in human xenograft models of prostate and breast cancer

Purpose: Data from epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that dietary protein intake may play a role in inhibiting prostate and breast cancer by modulating the IGF/AKT/mTOR pathway. In this study we investigated the effects of diets with different protein content or quality on prostate and breast cancer.Experimental Design: To test our hypothesis we assessed the inhibitory effect of protein diet restriction on prostate and breast cancer growth, serum PSA and IGF-1 concentrations, mTOR activity and epigenetic markers, by using human xenograft cancer models.Results: Our results showed a 70% inhibition of tumor growth in the castrate-resistant LuCaP23.1 prostate cancer model and a 56% inhibition in the WHIM16 breast cancer model fed with a 7% protein diet when compared to an isocaloric 21% protein diet. Inhibition of tumor growth correlated, in the LuCaP23.1 model, with decreased serum PSA and IGF-1 levels, down-regulation of mTORC1 activity, decreased cell proliferation as indicated by Ki67 staining, and reduction in epigenetic markers of prostate cancer progression, including the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and the associated histone mark H3K27me3. In addition, we observed that modifications of dietary protein quality, independently of protein quantity, decreased tumor growth. A diet containing 20% plant protein inhibited tumor weight by 37% as compared to a 20% animal dairy protein diet.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a reduction in dietary protein intake is highly effective in inhibiting tumor growth in human xenograft prostate and breast cancer models, possibly through the inhibition of the IGF/AKT/mTOR pathway and epigenetic modifications.     

A novel polyamine analog (SL-11093) inhibits growth of human prostate tumor xenografts in nude mice

PURPOSE: We tested the polyamine analog SL-11093 (3,8,13,18-tetraaza-10,11-[(E)-1,2-cyclopropyl]eicosane tetrahydrochloride) as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against human prostate cancer grown in nude mice. METHODS: NCr-nu mice grafted with DU-145 human prostate tumor cells were treated i.p. with SL-11093 at 50 mg/kg q1dx5 for either three or five cycles separated by intervals of about 10-15 days. RESULTS: In treated animals, tumor growth remained arrested for up to 100 days with minimal animal weight loss. None of the animals died during the treatment and in one experiment two out of six animals showed no palpable tumor. SL-11093 was readily taken up by the tumors, where its levels remained elevated for about 48 h after the end of drug administration. In liver and in kidney, SL-11093 (a (alpha)N,(omega)N-bisethyl derivative) was oxidatively N-deethylated predominantly to its monoethyl and di-deethyl derivatives. In time, the monoethyl derivative was further dealkylated, with a loss of an aminobutyl chain to form an aminomethyl cyclopropyl derivative. In tumor (and in lung), N-dealkylation reactions were less evident. CONCLUSION: SL-11093 is an effective chemotherapeutic agent against a human prostate tumor xenograft grown in nude mice. The drug accumulation and slow metabolism in tumor compared to other tissues would most likely reduce systemic toxicity of the drug and contribute to a larger therapeutic window for SL-11093 as compared to other cytotoxic polyamine analogs.     

Prostaglandin E2 induces vascular endothelial growth factor secretion in prostate cancer cells through EP2 receptor-mediated cAMP pathway

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to induce expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other signaling molecules in several cancers. PGE2 elicits its functions though four G-protein coupled membrane receptors (EP1-4). In this study, we investigated the role of EP receptors in PGE2-induced molecular events in prostate cancer cells. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that PC-3 cells express a substantially higher level of EP2 and moderately higher EP4 than DU145 and LNCaP cells. LNCaP cells had virtually no detectable EP2 mRNA. EP1 and EP3 mRNAs were not detected in these cells. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with PGE2 (1 nM-10 microM) increased both VEGF secretion and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. Levels of induction in PC-3 cells were greater than in DU145 and LNCaP cells. The selective EP2 agonist CAY10399 also significantly increased VEGF secretion and cAMP production in PC-3 cells, but not in DU145 and LNCaP cells. Moreover, PGE2 and CAY10399 increased mitogen activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (MAPK/Erk) and Akt phosphorylation in PC-3 and DU145 cells, but not in LNCaP cells. However, neither the MAPK/Erk inhibitor U0126 nor the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 abolished PGE2-induced VEGF secretion in PC-3 cells. We further demonstrated that the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and the cAMP anologue 8-bromo-cAMP mimicked the effects of PGE2 on VEGF secretion in PC-3 cells. Meanwhile, the adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2'5'-dideoxyadenosine, at concentrations that inhibited PGE2-induced cAMP, significantly blocked PGE2-induced VEGF secretion in PC-3 cells. We conclude that PGE2-induced VEGF secretion in prostate cancer cells is mediated through EP2-, and possibly EP4-, dependent cAMP signaling pathways.     

Tumorigenic potential of circulating prostate tumor cells

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have received intense scientific scrutiny because they travel in the bloodstream and are therefore well situated to mediate hematogenous metastasis. However, the potential of CTCs to actually form new tumors has not been tested. Popular methods of isolating CTCs are biased towards larger, more differentiated, non-viable cells, creating a barrier to testing their tumor forming potential. Without relying on cell size or the expression of differentiation markers, our objective was to isolate viable prostate CTCs from mice and humans and assay their ability to initiate new tumors. Therefore, blood was collected from transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice and from human patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa). Gradient density centrifugation or red cell lysis was used to remove erythrocytes, and then leukocytes were depleted by magnetic separation using CD45 immunoaffinity beads. CTCs fractions from TRAMP mice and PCa patients were verified by immunocytochemical staining for cytokeratin 8 and EpCAM, and inoculated into immunodeficient mice. TRAMP tumor growth was monitored by palpation. Human tumor growth formation was monitored up to 8 months by ultrasensitive PSA assays performed on mouse serum. We found viable tumor cells present in the bloodstream that were successfully isolated from mice without relying on cell surface markers. Two out of nine immunodeficient mice inoculated with TRAMP CTCs developed massive liver metastases. CTCs were identified in blood from PCa patients but did not form tumors. In conclusion, viable CTCs can be isolated without relying on epithelial surface markers or size fractionation. TRAMP CTCs were tumorigenic, so CTCs isolated in this way contain viable tumor-initiating cells. Only two of nine hosts grew TRAMP tumors and none of the human CTCs formed tumors, which suggests that most CTCs have relatively low tumor-forming potential. Future studies should identify and target the highly tumorigenic cells.     

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 associates with prostate tumorigenesis

Background:

Accumulating evidence demonstrates high levels of aldehyde dehydrogense (ALDH) activity in human cancer types, in part, because of its association with cancer stem cells. Whereas ALDH1A1 and ALDH7A1 isoforms were reported to associate with prostate tumorigenesis, whether other ALDH isoforms are associated with prostate cancer (PC) remains unclear.

Methods:

ALDH3A1 expression was analysed in various PC cell lines. Xenograft tumours and 54 primary and metastatic PC tumours were stained using immunohistochemistry for ALDH3A1 expression.

Results:

In comparison with the non-stem counterparts, a robust upregulation of ALDH3A1 was observed in DU145-derived PC stem cells (PCSCs). As DU145 PCSCs produced xenograft tumours with more advanced features compared with those derived from DU145 cells, higher levels of ALDH3A1 were detected in the former; a dramatic elevation of ALDH3A1 occurred in DU145 cell-derived lung metastasis compared with local xenograft tumours. Furthermore, while ALDH3A1 was not observed in prostate glands, ALDH3A1 was clearly present in PIN, and further increased in carcinomas. In comparison with the paired local carcinomas, ALDH3A1 was upregulated in lymph node metastatic tumours; the presence of ALDH3A1 in bone metastatic PC was also demonstrated.

Conclusions:

We report here the association of ALDH3A1 with PC progression.     

Epac inhibits migration and proliferation of human prostate carcinoma cells

Background:

It was recently found that cAMP mediates protein kinase A-independent effects through Epac proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Epac in migration and proliferation of prostate carcinoma cells.

Methods:

The effect of Epac activation was determined by [³H]thymidine incorporation and scratch assays in PC-3 and DU 145 cells. Furthermore, cytoskeletal integrity was analysed by phalloidin staining. The participation of intracellular Epac effectors such as mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, Rap1- and Rho-GTPases was determined by immunoblotting and pull-down assay.

Results:

The specific Epac activator 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP (8-pCPT) interfered with cytoskeletal integrity, reduced DNA synthesis, and migration. Although 8-pCPT activated Rap1, it inhibited MAP kinase signalling and RhoA activation. These findings were translated into functional effects such as inhibition of mitogenesis, cytoskeletal integrity, and migration.

Conclusion:

In human prostate carcinoma cells, Epac inhibits proliferative and migratory responses likely because of inhibition of MAP kinase and RhoA signalling pathways. Therefore, Epac might represent an attractive therapeutic target in the treatment of prostate cancer.     

E2F1对 TFDP3 表达的调控及其对前列腺癌PC3细胞凋亡的影响

目的：构建含TFDP3基因启动子和荧光素酶报告基因的重组载体pGL3-TFDP3-promoter,观察E2F1对TFDP3转录及表达的调控作用以及TFDP3对E2F1诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的影响。方法：以人前列腺癌PC3细胞系基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增TFDP3启动子序列并克隆入荧光素酶报告基因载体,与E2F1表达载体pCMV-E2F1-HA瞬时单独或共同转染PC3细胞,测定荧光素酶活性以观察E2F1对TFDP3启动子的调控作用,Western blotting检测pCMV-E2F1-HA转染对PC3细胞内TFDP3表达的影响,流式细胞术检测TFDP3与E2F1相互作用对前列腺癌细胞凋亡的影响。结果：成功构建TFDP3基因启动子重组质粒pGL3-TFDP3-promoter,与E2F1表达载体pCMV-E2F1-HA共转染PC3细胞后,TFDP3启动子诱导的荧光素酶活性较单独转染pGL3-TFDP3-promoter显著升高[（1.14±0.06）vs（0.61±0.05）, P<0.05]。转染pCMV-E2F1-HA的PC3细胞的TFDP3蛋白表达是未转染细胞的2.7倍[（0.24±0.03）vs（0.09±0.02）, P<0.05]。pCMV-E2F1-HA转染后PC3细胞凋亡率较未转染组显著上升[（7.10±0.003）% vs（2.66±0.001)%,P<0.05],而pCMV-E2F1-HA与pcDNA3.1-TFDP3共转染后细胞凋亡率较pCMV-E2F1-HA组显著下降[（4.92±0.002）% vs（7.10±0.003）%,P<0.05]。结论：E2F1可增强TFDP3启动子的活性,增加TFDP3蛋白的表达,其可能通过此机制抑制E2F1诱导的前列腺癌细胞凋亡。