Prostate Cell News Volume 4.36 | Sep 20 2013

Efficient Delivery of Therapeutic Small Nucleic Acids to Prostate Cancer Cells Using Ketal Nucleoside Lipid Nanoparticles
Researchers report that Ketals Nucleoside Lipids are suitable transfecting reagents for the development of novel therapeutic approaches involving either siRNA or antisense oligonucleotide against human prostate cancer PC-3 cells resistant to chemotherapy. [J Control Release] Abstract

Androgen Receptor and MicroRNA-21 Axis Downregulates Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor II (TGFBR2) Expression in Prostate Cancer
Scientists showed that coordinated action of microRNA (miR)-21 and androgen receptor signaling had a critical role in inhibiting transforming growth factor β receptor II (TGFBR2) expression in prostate cancer cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

SOCS2 Mediates the Crosstalk between Androgen and Growth Hormone Signaling in Prostate Cancer
Researchers investigated the role of SOCS2 as mediator of the crosstalk between androgens and GH signals in the prostate and its potential role as tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

Contextual Effect of Repression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Activity in Prostate Cancer
Scientists used two cell lines, one isolated from a primary tumor and the other from a recurrent tumor arising at the primary site, both from the conditional Pten deletion mouse model of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Over-expression of the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Noggin inhibited proliferation of cE1 cells in vitro while enhancing their ability to migrate. [Endocr Relat Cancer] Abstract

The Novel Toluidine Sulphonamide EL102 Shows Pre-Clinical In Vitro and In Vivo Activity against Prostate Cancer and Circumvents MDR1 Resistance
Researchers investigated the potential efficacy of EL102, a novel toluidine sulphonamide, in pre-clinical models of prostate cancer. They found that EL102 has in vitro activity against prostate cancer, characterized by accumulation in G2/M, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of Hif1α, and inhibition of tubulin polymerization and decreased microtubule stability. [Br J Cancer] Full Article

SOX2 Plays a Critical Role in EGFR-Mediated Self-Renewal of Human Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Scientists report a significant upregulation of SOX2 at both mRNA and protein levels in DU145 prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) propagated as suspension spheres in vitro. The expression of SOX2 in DU145 PCSCs is positively regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. [Cell Signal] Abstract

BMCC1 Is an AP-2 Associated Endosomal Protein in Prostate Cancer Cells
Scientists demonstrated for the first time the expression of a >300 kDa BMCC1 protein (BMCC1-1) in prostate cancer and melanoma cell lines. This protein was found exclusively in the microsomal fraction and localized to cytoplasmic vesicles. [PLoS One] Full Article

Tanshinone IIA Inhibits Human Prostate Cancer Cells Growth by Induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress In Vitro and In Vivo
Investigators explored the mechanisms of cell death induced by tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA) treatment in prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Their results showed that Tan-IIA caused prostate cancer cell death in a dose-dependent manner, and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase was noted, in LNCaP cells. [Prostate Cancer P D] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Denosumab and Bone Metastasis-Free Survival in Men With Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Exploratory Analyses by Baseline Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time
To identify men at greatest risk for bone metastasis or death, researchers evaluated relationships between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA doubling time (PSADT) with bone metastasis-free survival (BMFS) in a placebo group and the efficacy and safety of denosumab in men with PSADT ≤10, ≤6, and ≤4 months. In the placebo group, shorter BMFS was observed as PSADT decreased below 8 months. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Changes in fPSA Level Could Discriminate tPSA Flare-Up from tPSA Progression in Patients with Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer during the Initial Phase of Docetaxel-Based Chemotherapy
Researchers evaluated whether changes in fPSA level could predict tPSA flare-up in patients with castration-refractory prostate cancer during the initial phase of docetaxel-based chemotherapy. According to changes in tPSA level, 79 patients were divided into three groups: response (group 1), progression (group 2) and flare-up (group 3). fPSA and tPSA levels showed different patterns in groups 1, 2 and 3. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol] Abstract

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Dendreon Announces Marketing Authorization for PROVENGE^® in the European Union
Dendreon Corporation announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for PROVENGE^® dispersion for infusion in the European Union for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer in male adults in whom chemotherapy is not yet clinically indicated. [Dendreon Corporation] Press Release

Prostate Cancer Foundation and Movember Drive Scientific Discovery to Battle Prostate Cancer
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) announced that it has funded six Movember-PCF Challenge Awards that aim to accelerate scientific discovery and new treatments for prostate cancer patients. The projects chosen represent a range of focus and expertise that will tackle the most challenging problems that prostate cancer patients face in the clinic. [Business Wire] Press Release

Roche and Inovio Pharmaceuticals Partner on Inovio’s Prostate Cancer and Hepatitis B Immunotherapy Products
Roche and Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement to research, develop and commercialize Inovio’s highly-optimized, multi-antigen DNA immunotherapies targeting prostate cancer and hepatitis B. The licensed compounds are currently in preclinical development and have generated robust T-cell responses in animal models. [Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer and Head & Neck Cancer (University of Maryland Baltimore)

Research Associate – Prostate Cancer (University of Virginia)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Molecular Biology and Cancer Biology (University of California San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer Biology (University Of Rochester School Of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics (Ontario Cancer Institute / Princess Margaret Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer Research (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Research Associate II – Anti-Cancer Agents for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer (Johnson & Johnson)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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