Prostate Cell News Volume 3.35 | Sep 14 2012

LABORATORY RESEARCH

T cells Engineered with a T Cell Receptor against the Prostate Antigen TARP Specifically Kill HLA-A2⁺ Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells
To produce genetically engineered T cells directed against prostate and breast cancer cells, scientists cloned the T-cell receptor recognizing the HLA-A2–restricted T-cell recptor γ- chain alternate reading-frame protein (TARP)_4–13 epitope. TARP is a protein exclusively expressed in normal prostate epithelium and in adenocarcinomas of the prostate and breast. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA ] Abstract | Press Release

Activation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NFκB) in Prostate Cancer Is Mediated by PKC Epsilon (PKCε)
Investigators report that PKCε is an essential mediator of NF-κB activation in prostate cancer cells. A strong correlation exists between PKCε overexpression and NF-κB activation status in prostate cancer cells. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

The Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK) Is Upregulated in High-Grade Prostate Cancer
The concerted inhibition of MELK and other cell cycle targets by the antibiotic siomycin A strongly impaired cell viability of prostate cancer cells, and may point to a novel therapy approach for a subset of high-risk prostate cancer patients. [J Mol Med] Abstract

Phenotypic Characterization of Prostate Cancer LNCaP Cells Cultured within a Bioengineered Microenvironment
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels, common cell-binding motifs in extracellular matrix proteins, and matrix metalloproteinase cleavage sites, were characterized regarding their stiffness, diffusive properties, and ability to support growth of androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Researchers found that the mechanical properties modulated the growth kinetics of LNCaP cells in the PEG hydrogel. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Notch Activation Is Dispensable for D, L- Sulforaphane-Mediated Inhibition of Human Prostate Cancer Cell Migration
Investigators determined the role of Notch signaling, which is constitutively active in many human cancers, in anticancer effects of D, L-sulforaphane using prostate cancer cells as a model. [PLoS One] Full Article

Integrin Alphavbeta3 and CD44 Pathways in Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cells Support Osteoclastogenesis via a Runx2/Smad 5/Receptor Activator of NF-kappaB Ligand Signaling Axis
Scientists previously demonstrated that prostate cancer cells secrete receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL), however, the mechanism(s) by which RANKL is produced remains to be determined. In the present study, they investigated the molecular mechanisms controlling RANKL expression in metastatic prostate cancer cells. [Mol Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Benzoxazinoids from Scoparia dulcis with Antiproliferative Activity against the DU-145 Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Four compounds, along with eight known compounds were isolated from the aqueous extract of S. dulcis. The antiproliferative activities of the six benzoxazinoid compounds against the DU-145 human prostate cancer cell line were assayed. [Phytochemistry] Abstract

Preclinical Evaluation of Sunitinib, a Multi- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, as a Radiosensitizer for Human Prostate Cancer
Researchers investigated the radiosensitizing effects of sunitinib, a potent, multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and platelet derived growth factor receptor, on human prostate cancer cells. [Radiat Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Efficacy of Cetuximab in Metastatic Castration- Resistant Prostate Cancer might Depend on EGFR and PTEN Expression: Results from a Phase II Trial
Scientists investigated the combination of docetaxel and cetuximab, the monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in prostate cancer patients. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Ketoconazole: Association with Outcome and Predictive Nomogram
Scientists assessed the association between the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and outcome of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with the CYP17 inhibitor ketoconazole. [Oncologist] Abstract

Clark Atlanta University’s Center For Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development Awarded $5.8 Million for Research, Education and Outreach
The National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities awarded a $5.8 million renewal grant to the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University. The five-year grant enables continuation of research, training and community outreach activities in the African-American community. [Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University] Press Release

Astex Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation of HSP90 Inhibitor AT13387 Clinical Trial in Prostate Cancer
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has initiated a clinical trial with HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 in prostate cancer patients. The study is a phase I-II, open label, randomized study in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer who are no longer responding to treatment with standard of care therapies abiraterone acetate and steroids. [Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

U.S. FDA Approves XTANDI(R) after Priority Review for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Previously Treated with Docetaxel
Medivation, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to XTANDI® capsules for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have previously received docetaxel. [Medivation, Inc.] Press Release

Obama and Romney Tackle 14 Top Science Questions
Scientific American partnered with grassroots organization ScienceDebate.org to encourage the two main presidential candidates – Barack Obama and Mitt Romney – to answer 14 questions on some of the biggest scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. [Presidential Candidates, United States]
Press Release

U.K. Devotes £10 Million to Open Access Shift
Following up on recommendations to make more research freely available to scientists and the public, the U.K. government pledged £10 million toward making scientific papers open access. [U.K. Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW The Montréal Conference on Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer
December 7-8,2012
Montréal, Canada

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the prostate cell community.

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)                         

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development  (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (BC Cancer Agency)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer Research (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Senior Postdoctoral Position – Endocrinology and Therapeutics of Prostate Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 55,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Prostate Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.