scholarly journals The prostate cancer drug enzalutamide shortens anogenital distance in male rat offspring by blocking the androgen receptor

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Lindgren Schwartz ◽  
Terje Svingen ◽  
Camilla Taxvig ◽  
Sofie Christiansen ◽  
Mikael Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Model Compound ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Anogenital Distance ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Androgen Synthesis

Abstract Background: Enzalutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen drug used to treat prostate cancer. It is a potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, with an in vitro Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) of 0.05 μM. In this study, we wanted to assess its utility as a model compound for future mechanistic studies aimed at delineating mechanism-of-action of anti-androgenic effects in the developing fetus. Methods: Enzalutamide in vitro activity was tested using an Androgen receptor reporter assay (AR-EcoScreenTM) and a steroidogenesis assay (H295R assay). For in vivo characterization, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 10 mg/kg bw/day enzalutamide from gestational day 7-21. At gestational day 21, enzalutamide exposure concentrations were measured both in amniotic fluids and fetal plasma, alongside Anogenital distance (AGD). Fetal testes were collected and for testosterone measurements and gene expression profiling. Results: Enzalutamide was a strong AR antagonist in vitro and we also observed disrupted androgen synthesis in the H295R steroidogenic assay with a LOEC of 3.1 μM. In utero exposure resulted in about 20% shorter anogenital distance (AGD) in male fetuses., as well as signs of dysregulated expression of the steroidogenic genes Star, Cyp11a1 and Cyp17a1 in the fetal testes at gestational day 21. Intra-testicular testosterone levels were unaffected. Conclusions: Based on these observations, together with in vitro LOECs and the fetal plasma levels of enzalutamide, we propose that the effect on male AGD was caused by AR antagonism rather than suppressed androgen synthesis. Due to the characteristic mechanism of action of enzalutamide, we suggest to use it as a new model compound in research on anti-androgenic environmental chemicals.

scholarly journals Hormetic Dose Response of NaAsO2 on Cell Proliferation of Prostate Cells in Vitro: Implications for Prostate Cancer Initiation and Therapy

Dose-Response ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 155932581984337
Author(s):  
Johan Lundqvist ◽  
Erik Helmersson ◽  
Agneta Oskarsson
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Prostate Cells ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
No Activation

Sodium meta-arsenite (NaAsO2) has been suggested to play a role both in initiation/progression of prostate cancer and as a future antiprostate cancer drug. We have studied the effects of NaAsO2 on cell proliferation of prostate cancer and noncancer cells, breast cancer cells, and adrenocortical carcinoma cells in vitro. Further, we have investigated the effect of NaAsO2 on the androgen receptor. We report that NaAsO2 alters the cell proliferation of prostate cells, in a hormetic manner, by increasing cell proliferation at low concentrations and decreasing the cell proliferation at high concentrations. No activation of the androgen receptor was detected. We conclude that NaAsO2 is able to increase cell proliferation of prostate cells in vitro at low concentrations, while it decreases cell viability at high concentrations. This novel finding has to be further addressed if NaAsO2 should be developed into an antiprostate cancer drug.

scholarly journals FAM64A is an androgen receptor-regulated feedback tumor promoter in prostate cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingchen Zhou ◽  
Longhua Ou ◽  
Jinming Xu ◽  
Haichao Yuan ◽  
Junhua Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Tumor Promoter ◽  
Interferon Signaling ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Synthesis

AbstractEndocrine therapy for prostate cancer (PCa) mainly inhibits androgen receptor (AR) signaling, due to increased androgen synthesis and AR changes, PCa evolved into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The function of Family With Sequence Similarity 64 Member A (FAM64A) and its association with prostate cancer has not been reported. In our research, we first reported that FAM64A is up-regulated and positively associated with poor prognosis of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) by TCGA database and immunohistochemistry staining. Moreover, knockdown of FAM64A significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of PCa cells in vitro. Mechanistically, FAM64A expression was increased by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) through direct binding of AR to FAM64A promoter, and notably promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of androgen-dependent cell line of PCa. In addition, abnormal expression of FAM64A affects the immune and interferon signaling pathway of PCa cells. In conclusion, FAM64A was up-regulated by AR through directly binding to its specific promoter region to promote the development of PCa, and was associated with the immune mechanism and interferon signaling pathway, which provided a better understanding and a new potential for treating PCa.

scholarly journals Functional mapping of androgen receptor enhancer activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Chi Flora Huang ◽  
Shreyas Lingadahalli ◽  
Tunc Morova ◽  
Dogancan Ozturan ◽  
Eugene Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Drive Gene Expression ◽  
In Vitro Cell Lines ◽  
Drive Gene

Abstract Background Androgen receptor (AR) is critical to the initiation, growth, and progression of prostate cancer. Once activated, the AR binds to cis-regulatory enhancer elements on DNA that drive gene expression. Yet, there are 10–100× more binding sites than differentially expressed genes. It is unclear how or if these excess binding sites impact gene transcription. Results To characterize the regulatory logic of AR-mediated transcription, we generated a locus-specific map of enhancer activity by functionally testing all common clinical AR binding sites with Self-Transcribing Active Regulatory Regions sequencing (STARRseq). Only 7% of AR binding sites displayed androgen-dependent enhancer activity. Instead, the vast majority of AR binding sites were either inactive or constitutively active enhancers. These annotations strongly correlated with enhancer-associated features of both in vitro cell lines and clinical prostate cancer samples. Evaluating the effect of each enhancer class on transcription, we found that AR-regulated enhancers frequently interact with promoters and form central chromosomal loops that are required for transcription. Somatic mutations of these critical AR-regulated enhancers often impact enhancer activity. Conclusions Using a functional map of AR enhancer activity, we demonstrated that AR-regulated enhancers act as a regulatory hub that increases interactions with other AR binding sites and gene promoters.

Androgen Receptor Rediscovered: The New Biology and Targeting the Androgen Receptor Therapeutically

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (27) ◽  
pp. 3651-3658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles J. Ryan ◽  
Donald J. Tindall
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Abiraterone Acetate ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Synthesis ◽  
Castration Resistant

Discoveries over the past decade suggest that castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is sensitive, but not resistant to, further manipulation of the androgen–androgen receptor (AR) axis. Several new therapies that target this axis have demonstrated clinical activity. In this article, preclinical and clinical findings occurring in the field of AR-targeted therapies are reviewed. Reviews of scientific and clinical development are divided into those occurring prereceptor (androgen production and conversion) and at the level of the receptor (AR aberrations and therapies targeting AR directly). Intracrine androgen production and AR amplification, among others, are among the principal aberrancies driving CRPC growth. Phase III data with abiraterone acetate and phase II data with MDV-3100, along with other similar therapies, confirm for the clinician that the scientific findings related to persistent AR signaling in a castrate milieu can be harnessed to produce significant clinical benefit for patients with the disease. Studies aimed at optimizing the timing of their use and exploring the mechanisms of resistance to these therapies are under way. The clinical success of therapies that directly target androgen synthesis as well as the most common aberrancies of the AR confirm that prostate cancer retains dependence on AR signaling, even in the castrate state.

scholarly journals In vitro model systems to study androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. R49-R64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Sampson ◽  
Hannes Neuwirt ◽  
Martin Puhr ◽  
Helmut Klocker ◽  
Iris E Eder
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Prostate Epithelial Cells ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Culture Models

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common causes of male cancer-related death in Western nations. The cellular response to androgens is mediated via the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-inducible transcription factor whose dysregulation plays a key role during PCa development and progression following androgen deprivation therapy, the current mainstay systemic treatment for advanced PCa. Thus, a better understanding of AR signaling and new strategies to abrogate AR activity are essential for improved therapeutic intervention. Consequently, a large number of experimental cell culture models have been established to facilitate in vitro investigations into the role of AR signaling in PCa development and progression. These different model systems mimic distinct stages of this heterogeneous disease and exhibit differences with respect to AR expression/status and androgen responsiveness. Technological advances have facilitated the development of in vitro systems that more closely reflect the physiological setting, for example via the use of three-dimensional coculture to study the interaction of prostate epithelial cells with the stroma, endothelium, immune system and tissue matrix environment. This review provides an overview of the most commonly used in vitro cell models currently available to study AR signaling with particular focus on their use in addressing key questions relating to the development and progression of PCa. It is hoped that the continued development of in vitro models will provide more biologically relevant platforms for mechanistic studies, drug discovery and design ensuring a more rapid transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the clinic.

BPS-001, a complex biologic agent extracted from the medicinal leech (Huridinaria manillensis) for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 209-209
Author(s):  
M. Suzanne Stratton ◽  
Amr Ammar ◽  
Yuzhuo Wang ◽  
Mohamed Hessein ◽  
Emma Guns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Biologic Agent ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Mouse Prostate

209 Background: We established that subcutaneous BPS-001 reduced tumor size and inhibited tumor growth in PC3, LNCaP and 22RV-1 mouse xenografts; and, tumor lHC demonstrated an increase in caspase-3 and decreases in expression of P21, Ki-67 and PCNA. We also showed that BPS-001 reduced PSA expression in both In vitro and in In vivo xenografts (LNCaP and 22RV1). We now demonstrate that BPS-001 inhibits angiogenesis in the xenografts; and, In vitro studies demonstrate that BPS-001 affects expression of adhesion molecules and the androgen receptor. In addition, BPS-001 inhibited tumor growth in a TRAMP allograft model. Methods: CD31 expression was measured using IHC of the previous mouse xenografts. In vitro androgen receptor and adhesion molecule expression were assessed by Western blot. Transplantable TRAMP-C2 mouse prostate cancer in B57CL allografts were grown to 5 mm prior to initiation of treatment. Immune markers in TRAMP allograft tumors were measured by IHC. Results: Mechanistic studies show BPS-001 acts by blocking angiogenesis demonstrated by a > 50% decrease in expression of CD31 in the LNCaP and 22RV-1 xenografts. Furthermore, preliminary toxicology studies show similar efficacy to docetaxel with no weight loss in the longer-term PC3 xenograft study as was observed with docetaxel. Preliminary toxicology studies of BPS-001 also support a favorable toxicity profile, and the therapeutic dose (1-5 mg/Kg, QW or BIW) is well within the margin of safety. Dose limiting toxicity (bleeding) was observed at doses of 20mg/Kg daily. In vitro studies showed BPS-001 decreased expression of both N- and P- cadherins and the androgen receptor. BPS-001 inhibited tumor growth in the TRAMP allograft models. IHC analyses of the TRAMP allograft tumors suggest immunomodulation. Conclusions: BPS-001 exhibits anticancer activity with no observed toxicity in the therapeutic range. Effects of BPS-001 include inhibition of angiogenesis, downregulation of adhesion molecules associated with advanced prostate cancer and inhibition of androgen receptor signaling. Elucidation of the mechanism of action is ongoing.

CYP11A1 inhibition as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of castration resistant prostate cancer.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 340-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riikka Oksala ◽  
Mari Karimaa ◽  
Outi Simola ◽  
Meri Ramela ◽  
Reetta Riikonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Steroid Synthesis ◽  
Androgen Synthesis ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Toxicological Studies

340 Background: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The mechanisms behind the development of resistance are complex and not fully understood; altered androgen synthesis, androgen receptor (AR) overexpression or gene amplification, and mutations have been indentified. However, tumor growth may still be responsive to therapies that can further suppress de novo intratumoral steroid synthesis upstream of CYP17A1. ODM-208 is an oral, non-steroidal and selective inhibitor of CYP11A1 enzyme that suppresses the synthesis of all steroid hormones and their precursors. Methods: The inhibition of CYP11A1 was measured in vitro by the formation of radiolabelled isocapronic acid in a human adrenal cortex cell line (H295R), and further analysing pregnenolone (Preg) and testosterone (T) formation by ELISA. The tumor growth inhibition of ODM-208 alone or in combination with prednisone (Pred) was studied in VCaP CRPC xenograft where also concentrations of main steroid hormones progesterone (P), corticosterone (CORT) and T in tumors and adrenals were analysed. In addition, plasma ACTH and LH levels were measured at the end of the xenograft study. In dogs an ACTH stimulation test was done. Toxicity studies were conducted in rats and dogs. Results: ODM-208 potently inhibits CYP11A1 and synthesis of Preg and T with nM concentrations in vitro. In the VCaP CRPC xenograft ODM-208 alone and in combination with Pred significantly inhibited tumor growth. Concentrations of T, P and CORT were significantly decreased in the adrenals, indicating strong CYP11A1 inhibition. Also, significantly decreased steroid levels in tumors was observedhe Pred combination increased plasma ACTH levels less than ODM-208 alone, whereas no difference was seen in the LH. In dogs ACTH-stimulated cortisol production was significantly inhibited after single oral dose of ODM-208. In toxicological studies ODM-208 showed expected reversible findings in target tissues, mainly related to the pharmacology. Conclusions: ODM-208 shows promising antitumor activity in preclinical CRPC models with favorable toxicological profile. Thus, ODM-208 might have potential for treating the patients with CRPC.

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