LABORATORY RESEARCH Androgen Receptor Splice Variant AR3 Promotes Prostate Cancer via Modulating Expression of Autocrine/Paracrine Factors Scientists established a transgenic mouse model with targeted expression of the constitutively active and androgen-independent androgen receptor (AR) splice variant AR3 in prostate epithelium. They found that over-expression of AR3 modulates expression of a number of tumor-promoting autocrine/ paracrine growth factors and expands prostatic progenitor cell population, leading to development of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Linking γ-Aminobutyric Acid a Receptor to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathways Activation in Human Prostate Cancer Using androgen-insensitive bone metastasis PC-3 cells and androgen-sensitive lymph node metastasis LNCaP cells derived from human prostate cancer patients, scientists demonstrated that γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor ligand and agonist stimulate cell proliferation, enhance epidermal growth factor family members expression, and activate epidermal growth factor receptor and a downstream signaling molecule, Src, in both PC-3 and LNCaP cells. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract Optimization and Comprehensive Characterization of a Faithful Tissue Culture Model of the Benign and Malignant Human Prostate Researchers optimized, characterized, and applied a ‘tissue slice cultures’ model of primary human prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostate tissue that overcomes many deficiencies of current in vitro models. After optimization of the culture system, molecular and cellular responses to androgen ablation and to piperlongumine, purported to specifically reduce androgen signaling in PCa, were investigated. [Lab Invest] Abstract A Monocarbonyl Analogue of Curcumin, 1,5-Bis(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-Pentadiene-3-One (Ca 37), Exhibits Potent Growth Suppressive Activity and Enhances the Inhibitory Effect of Curcumin on Human Prostate Cancer Cells Investigators evaluated the anticancer potency and mechanism of a curcumin analogue, Ca 37, in human prostate cancer. Ca 37 presented a preferential suppression capacity against growth and migration toward prostate cancer cells compared with curcumin. [Apoptosis] Abstract Prolonged Androgen Deprivation Leads to Overexpression of Calpain 2: Implications for Prostate Cancer Progression An in vitro model was employed to assess the effects of continuous androgen-deprivation on developing the metastatic phenotype from androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells. The results indicated that long-term androgen deprivation resulted in overexpression of calpain 2 and increased expression of filamin A, but not for calpain 1. [Int J Oncol] Abstract Effect of Cyclin G2 on Proliferative Ability of Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cell Researchers analyzed the expression, clinical significance of cyclin G2 (CCNG2) in prostate carcinoma, and the biological effect in its cell line by CCNG2 overexpression. [Tumor Biol] Abstract MiRNA Regulation of TRAIL Expression Exerts Selective Cytotoxicity to Prostate Carcinoma Cells qPCR data confirmed that miR-143, miR-145, and miR-122 levels were all decreased in prostate carcinoma cell lines and prostate cancer samples from patients. Luciferase assays showed that miRNA response element-regulated luciferase expression was potently suppressed in normal cells, but not in prostate cancer cells. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract Inhibition of IL-6 Expression in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells by a Combination of Atorvastatin and Celecoxib Culturing LNCaP cells in androgen-depleted (AD) medium increased the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and survivin, and treatment of the cells in AD medium with a combination of atorvastatin and celecoxib strongly inhibited the increase in IL-6 and survivin which is one of the downstream targets of the IL-6 signaling pathway. [Oncol Rep] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH TMPRSS2:ERG Gene Fusion Predicts Subsequent Detection of Prostate Cancer in Patients with High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia The predictive value of ERG gene fusion in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) for prostate cancer was interrogated as a post hoc analysis in the context of a randomized clinical trial. ERG expression was detected in 11.1% of patients with isolated HGPIN. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract | Press Release Modification of the Association between Obesity and Lethal Prostate Cancer by TMPRSS2:ERG Researchers investigated whether obesity, which deregulates several hormonal pathways, interacts with TMPRSS2:ERG to impact prostate cancer outcomes. The study included 1243 participants in the prospective Physicians’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1982 and 2005. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract | Press Release |