Prostate Cell News Volume 4.27 | Jul 19 2013

A Dosage-Dependent Pleiotropic Role of Dicer in Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis
Scientists found that knocking down Dicer expression suppresses the growth and tumorigenic capacity of human prostate cancer cell lines, but enhances migratory capacities of some prostate cancer cell lines. Dicer is upregulated in human prostate cancer specimens, but lower Dicer expression portends a shorter time to recurrence. [Oncogene] Abstract

Mechanisms of the Androgen Receptor Splicing in Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers identified two RNA splicing enhancers and their binding proteins that had critical roles in splicing androgen receptor (AR) pre-mRNA into AR-V7. They indicated that androgen deprivation therapy-induced AR gene transcription rate and splicing factor recruitment to AR pre-mRNA contribute to the enhanced AR-V7 levels in prostate cancer cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

AIM2, an Interferon-Inducible Cytosolic DNA Sensor, in the Development of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer
Given that human prostatic infections are associated with chronic inflammation, the development of benign prostate hyperplasia is associated with an accumulation of senescent cells with a proinflammatory phenotype, and the development of prostate cancer is associated with the loss of interferon (IFN)-signaling, scientists investigated the role of AIM2 in prostatic diseases. They found that IFNs induced AIM2 expression in human prostate epithelial cells and cytosolic DNA activated the AIM2 inflammasome. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Angiogenin Mediates Androgen-Stimulated Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells and Correlates with Castration Resistance
Researchers found that angiogenin (ANG), the 5th member of the vertebrate-specific, secreted ribonuclease superfamily that is upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa), mediates androgen-stimulated rRNA transcription in PCa cells. Upon androgen stimulation, ANG undergoes nuclear translocation in androgen-dependent PCa cells where it binds to the ribosomal DNA promoter and stimulates rRNA transcription. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

11ß-Hydroxydihydrotestosterone and 11-Ketodihydrotestosterone, Novel C19 Steroids with Androgenic Activity: A Putative Role in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer?
Investigators present a novel pathway for 11OHA4 metabolism in castration-resistant prostate cancer leading to the production of 11ketoT and novel 5a-reduced C19 steroids – 11OH-5a-androstanedione, 11keto-5a-androstanedione, 11OHDHT and 11ketoDHT. The pathway was validated in the androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract

Flow Cytometric Characterization of Tumor Subpopulations in Three Sublines of the Dunning R3327 Rat Prostate Tumor Model
Subsets of tumor cells were characterized by mapping DNA ploidy patterns in correlation with established cell surface markers in three non-treated sublines of the Dunning R3327 prostate tumor system representing different progressional stages. The three Dunning prostate tumor sublines clearly differ in their ploidy status. [Prostate] Abstract

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Synergistically Enhances Docetaxel and Paclitaxel Cytotoxicity in Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers investigated the modulatory impact of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on docetaxel (DOC) and paclitaxel (PTX) cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells and exploring the possible underlying mechanisms for this chemomodulation. CAPE significantly increased DOC and PTX potency in PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. [IUBMB Life] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

VEGF-A Polymorphisms Predict Progression-Free Survival among Advanced Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Metronomic Cyclophosphamide
The authors evaluated the association between VEGF-A sequence variants and prostate-specific antigen progression, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival, in advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with metronomic cyclophosphamide (CTX), celecoxib and dexamethasone. The -634CC genotype is significantly associated with a shorter PFS in patients treated with a metronomic CTX schedule. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract

Association between Metformin Use and Risk of Prostate Cancer and Its Grade
Scientists tested the association between metformin use and risk of prostate cancer and its grade among men with diabetes. This large study did not find an association between metformin use and risk of prostate cancer among older men with diabetes, regardless of cancer grade or method of diagnosis. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract

The Potential Role of Lycopene for the Prevention and Therapy of Prostate Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Evidence
There is still no clearly proven clinical evidence supporting the use of lycopene in the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer, due to the only limited number of published randomized clinical trials and the varying quality of existing studies. The authors discuss the potential impact of lycopene on prostate cancer by giving an overview about its molecular mechanisms and clinical effects. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Full Article

Visit our REVIEWS page to see a complete list of reviews in the prostate cell research field.

Igniting the Discovery Spark through Movember Research Funding
Prostate Cancer Canada is dedicated to supporting prostate cancer researchers on the verge of an early-stage research breakthrough with the Movember Discovery Grants program. This program allows both junior investigators at the start of their research career and more established investigators to pursue new important directions in prostate cancer research. Each recipient of the Movember Discovery Grant will receive up to $200,000 in funding over a two-year term. [Prostate Cancer Canada] Press Release

AACC Annual Meeting Breaking Science Includes New Tests to Detect Life-Threatening Prostate Cancer, New Cystic Fibrosis Tests that Can Be Measured at the Point of Care, and New Ways to Determine the Safety of Drugs Used to Treat Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Leaders from the medical diagnostics, laboratory medicine, and health care fields will convene in Houston, Texas, July 28 – August 1 for the world’s largest diagnostics conference and expo where experts from research and industry will exchange insights on research and application advancements. Selected research being presented includes new tests to detect life-threatening prostate cancer, new cystic fibrosis tests that can be measured at the point of care, and new ways to determine the safety of drugs used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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Lead Research Technologist – Translational Prostate Cancer Research Program (Cleveland Clinic)

Project Scientist – Prostate Cancer Research (University of California at Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology and Chemotherapy Resistance (Dalhousie University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Drug Discovery/GU Oncology (Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer (Mount Sinai School)

PhD Studentship – Investigation into Chemokine Receptor Induced Cell Migration (University of East Anglia)

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