LABORATORY RESEARCH Estrogen Receptor β Upregulates FOXO3a and Causes Induction of Apoptosis through PUMA in Prostate Cancer In human prostate cancer cells, researchers found that estrogen receptor β causes apoptosis by increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic factor p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), independent of p53, but dependent on the forkhead transcription factor class-O family member, FOXO3a. [Oncogene] Abstract Increased Expression of CYP24A1 Correlates with Advanced Stages of Prostate Cancer and Can Cause Resistance to Vitamin D3-Based Therapies Scientists dissected the basis for the resistance to the vitamin D3 antitumor properties and specifically examined the effect of its major catabolic enzyme, CYP24A1, in prostate cancer. The use of CYP24A1 RNAi enhanced the cytostatic effects of vitamin D3 in human prostate cancer cells. [FASEB J] Abstract Activation of the Wnt Pathway through Use of AR79, a Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3beta Inhibitor, Promotes Prostate Cancer Growth in Soft Tissue and Bone Researchers determined if AR79 impacted progression of prostate cancer (PCa). AR79 inhibited beta-catenin phosphorylation, increased nuclear β-catenin accumulation in PCa and osteoblast cell lines and increased proliferation of PCa cells in vitro through beta-catenin. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract NSC126188 Induces Apoptosis of Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cells through Inhibition of Akt Membrane Translocation, FoxO3a Activation, and RhoB Transcription Investigators showed that NSC126188 induces apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells by inhibiting Akt/FoxO3 signaling, which mediates RhoB upregulation. [Apoptosis] Abstract Sodium Butyrate Induces Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis in Human Prostate Cancer DU145 Cells by Up-Regulation of the Expression of Annexin A1 Scientists investigated the mechanism of sodium butyrate action in prostate cancer DU145 cells. NaB significantly inhibited the growth and induction apoptosis of DU145 and PC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. [PLoS One] Full Article Withaferin A, a Steroidal Lactone from Withania somnifera, Induces Mitotic Catastrophe and Growth Arrest in Prostate Cancer Cells Researchers focused on the cell cycle regulatory potential of the withanolide withaferin A (1) on prostate cancer cells. Compound 1 induced G2/M arrest in both prostate cancer cell lines when treated for 48 hours. [J Nat Prod] Abstract Apoptotic Markers in a Prostate Cancer Cell Line: Effect of Ellagic Acid Researchers delineated possible apoptotic pathway(s) involved in the ellagic acid (EA)-mediated chemotherapeutic effects in the LNCaP human prostatic cancer cell line. EA produced anti-proliferative effects through inhibition of rapamycin activation and a reduction in intracellular levels of β-catenin. [Oncol Rep] Abstract Anti-Androgenic Activity of Hydroxyxanthones in Prostate Cancer LNCaP Cells Investigators report that hydroxyxanthones from a plant extract act as anti-androgens in androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer LNCaP cells. [Fitoterapia] Abstract Nuclear Targeting of Dystroglycan Promotes the Expression of Androgen Regulated Transcription Factors in Prostate Cancer Researchers report an analysis of β-dystroglycan in prostate cancer in human tissue samples and in LNCaP cells in vitro. There is progressive loss of β-dystroglycan immunoreactivity from basal and lateral surfaces of prostate epithelia which correlates significantly with increasing Gleason grade. [Sci Rep] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Exploratory Analysis of the Visceral Disease Subgroup in a Phase III Study of Abiraterone Acetate in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer An exploratory analysis of COU-AA-301 assessed whether abiraterone acetate (AA) improved overall survival (OS) in mCRPC patients with visceral disease progressing post docetaxel. AA plus prednisone produced similar absolute improvement in median OS in patients with and without visceral disease versus prednisone. [Prostate Cancer P D] Full Article |