Prostate Cell News Volume 3.37 | Sep 28 2012

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Recreating the Tumor Microenvironment in a Bilayer, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Construct for the Growth of Prostate Cancer Spheroids
Researchers developed and characterized a hyaluronic acid-based bilayer hydrogel system that not only supports the tumoroid formation from LNCaP prostate cancer cells, but also simulates their reciprocal interactions with the tumor-associated stroma. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Phosphorylation of the Androgen Receptor by PIM1 in Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer
Bioinformatic analysis revealed androgen receptor (AR) serine 213 (S213) as a putative substrate for PIM1, a kinase overexpressed in prostate cancer. Therefore, phosphorylation of AR s213 by PIM1 was examined using a phosphorylation site-specific antibody. [Oncogene] Abstract

Targeting the Unique Methylation Pattern of AR Promoter in Prostate Stem/Progenitor Cells with 5-AZA Leads to Suppressed Prostate Tumorigenesis
Researchers found normal prostate/prostate cancer (PCa) stem/progenitor cells expressed little androgen receptor (AR) with high methylation in the AR promoter. The low expression of AR in normal prostate/PCa stem/progenitor cells was reversed after adding 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-AZA) which lead to decreased stemness and drive cells into a more differentiated status. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Increased Expression of Activated Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Contributes to Antiandrogen Resistance in Prostate Cancer Cells by Suppressing Androgen Receptor Transactivation
Investigators demonstrated that endothelial nitric oxide synthase exhibited an overexpression pattern in hormone-refractory prostate cancer and several models of advanced hormone-resistant prostate cancer. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 Is a Key Molecular Target for Mithramycin A-Induced Apoptosis in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells and a Tumor Xenograft Animal Model
The authors examined the critical role of mithramycin A (Mith) in apoptosis and its molecular mechanism in DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells and tumor xenografts. It was found that Mith inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis by suppressing myeloid cell leukemia-1 in both prostate cancer cells and xenograft tumors. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Functional p53 Determines Docetaxel Sensitivity in Prostate Cancer Cells
The potential role of p53 in docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells was tested by either p53 silencing using shRNA or p53 overexpression by introducing wild-type p53. Scientists found that DU145 and PC3 cells were less sensitive than LNCaP and C4-2 cells expressing functional p53 in response to docetaxel. [Prostate] Abstract

The Combination of Plumbagin with Androgen Withdrawal Causes Profound Regression of Prostate Tumors In Vivo
This study assessed the efficacy of a new therapeutic strategy that combines plumbagin, a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, with androgen ablation. The mechanism of action of plumbagin was explored using human and mouse prostate cancer cells. [Prostate] Abstract

The Expression of URGCP Gene in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines: Correlation with Rapamycin
Rapamycin (RPM) is an antifungal macrolide antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus which can inhibit the G1 to S transition. Upregulator of cell proliferation (URGCP) is a novel gene located on chromosome 7p13; the authors investigated the role of URGCP gene expression changes in PC3, DU145, and LNCAP cell lines with and without RPM. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract

Dual Roles of PARP-1 Promote Cancer Growth and Progression
Data demonstrated that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) elicits pro-tumorigenic effects in androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer cells, both in the presence and absence of genotoxic insult. [Cancer Discovery] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Contrast Enhanced Transrectal Ultrasound for the Detection of Prostate Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Dutasteride Pretreatment
Researchers quantified prostate cancer detection with contrast enhanced ultrasound with or without short-term pretreatment with dutasteride. [J Urology] Abstract | Press Release

Genomic Health Announces Positive Topline Results of Large Prostate Cancer Clinical Validation Study; Company to Proceed with 2013 Commercial Launch
Genomic Health, Inc. announced positive results from a large clinical validation study of its biopsy-based prostate cancer test. The study met its primary endpoint by demonstrating that the multi-gene Oncotype DX® Genomic Prostate Score has been prospectively validated as a predictor of adverse pathology for patients with early-stage prostate cancer. [Genomic Health, Inc.] Press Release

Molecular Insight Announces Initiation of Phase II Trial for Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Drug
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a phase II clinical trial of the company’s lead prostate cancer molecular imaging agent, ^99mTc-MIP-1404.  MIP-1404 is being developed to detect the location and extent of prostate cancer in men who are newly diagnosed or have recurrent or progressive disease. [Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Progenics Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase II Clinical Trial of PSMA ADC in Prostate Cancer Patients
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has opened enrollment in a phase II study in prostate cancer patients of its prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ADC compound. PSMA ADC is a targeted anti-cancer therapeutic that uses a monoclonal antibody to deliver a cell-killing drug to malignant cells. [Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc.] 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 World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress
May 21-23, 2013
London, United Kingdom

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.)

Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer Metastasis (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Sunnybrook Research Institute)

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer (CEA)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Tumor Mouse Models (Medical University of South Carolina)

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

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