LABORATORY RESEARCH Rb Loss Is Characteristic of Prostatic Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Researchers examined the status of RB1, TP53 and PTEN in prostatic small cell and acinar carcinomas via immunohistochemistry, copy number variation analysis and sequencing of formalin fixed paraffin-embedded specimens. They found Rb protein loss in 90% of small cell carcinoma cases with RB1 allelic loss in 85% of cases. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract ROCK Has a Crucial Role in Regulating Prostate Tumor Growth through Interaction with c-Myc Researchers showed that inhibition of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity, either by a selective ROCK inhibitor Y27632 or by specific ROCK small interfering RNA molecules, attenuated not only motility but also the proliferation of PC3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. [Oncogene] Abstract HOXB13 Contributes to G1/S and G2/M Checkpoint Controls in Prostate To characterize the putative role of HOXB13 in cell cycle progression, scientists performed overexpression and siRNA-mediated knockdown studies in PC-3 and LNCaP cells. When the role of HOXB13 during cell cycle progression, association with cyclins, cell growth and colony formation using real-time cell proliferation were assessed, they observed that ectopic expression of HOXB13 accumulated cells at G1 through decreasing the cyclin D1 level by promoting its ubiquitination and degradation. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract Activated 5’Flanking Region of NANOGP8 in a Self-Renewal Environment Is Associated with Increased Sphere Formation and Tumor Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells Scientists evaluated the expression of NANOG1 and NANOGP8 in prostate cancer cell lines and primary cultures of prostate tissues. They investigated clonogenicity, sphere formation, and xenograft tumor growth of prostate cancer cells with an activated 5’flanking region of NANOGP8. [Prostate] Abstract Induction of DNA Damage and p21-Dependent Senescence by Riccardin D Is a Novel Mechanism Contributing to Its Growth Suppression in Prostate Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Scientists report that apoptosis is not the sole mechanism by which Riccardin D (RD) inhibits tumor cell growth because low concentrations of RD caused cellular senescence in prostate cancer cells. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol] Abstract miR-200b Suppresses Cell Proliferation, Migration and Enhances Chemosensitivity in Prostate Cancer by Regulating Bmi-1 Investigators showed that microRNA (miR)-200b was downregulated in clinical prostatic tumors when compared to normal prostate tissue and in advanced prostate cancer cell lines when compared to normal epithelial prostatic cells. [Oncol Rep] Abstract Cells Susceptible to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Are Enriched in Stem-Like Side Population Cells from Prostate Cancer Stem-like side population cells acquired more complete epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecular features and exhibited stronger aggressive capability than homologous bulk population cells both in vitro and in vivo. [Oncol Rep] Abstract Normoxic or Hypoxic CD44/CD41 a 2 B 1 Integrin-Positive Prostate PC3 Cell Side Fractions and Cancer Stem Cells After 48 hours of culture under nitrogen with a resulting medium pH of 7.8, sorted hypoxic PC3 cells yielded a higher percentage and concentration/105 of cells in a doubly labeled CD44+/CD41+ side fraction compared with control cells cultured under normoxia. [Med Oncol] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Trial of Sunitinib Plus Prednisone Versus Prednisone Alone in Progressive, Metastatic, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Researchers evaluated angiogenesis-targeted sunitinib therapy in a randomized, double-blind trial of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The addition of sunitinib to prednisone did not improve overall survival compared with placebo in docetaxel-refractory mCRPC. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract Baseline Prostate Inflammation Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer in Men Undergoing Repeat Prostate Biopsy: Results from the REDUCE Study Investigators evaluated whether baseline acute and chronic prostate inflammation among men with an initial negative biopsy for prostate cancer (PCa) increased the risk of subsequent PCa detection in a clinical trial with systematic biopsies. [Cancer] Abstract Relationship of Chronic Histologic Prostatic Inflammation in Biopsy Specimens With Serum Isoform [-2]proPSA (p2PSA), %p2PSA, and Prostate Health Index in Men with a Total Prostate-Specific Antigen of 4-10 ng/mL and Normal Digital Rectal Examination Researchers investigated the relationship between serum [-2]proPSA (p2PSA) and derivatives with chronic histologic prostatic inflammation in men undergoing prostate biopsy for suspected prostate cancer. [Urology] Abstract |