Prostate Cell News Volume 6.18 | May 22 2015

The TGF-β Signaling Regulator PMEPA1 Suppresses Prostate Cancer Metastases to Bone
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) upregulated in prostate cancer cells a set of genes associated with cancer aggressiveness and bone metastases, and the most upregulated gene was PMEPA1. [Cancer Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Plexin-B1 Signaling Promotes Androgen Receptor Translocation to the Nucleus
Plexin-B1, the receptor for semaphorin4D (Sema4D), has been implicated in prostate cancer where mutation of the gene and overexpression of the protein occur. The authors showed that Sema4D/plexin-B1 increases the expression of androgen-responsive genes and activates the transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor. [Oncogene] Abstract

Expression of Stage Specific Embryonic Antigen-4 (SSEA-4) Defines Spontaneous Loss of Epithelial Phenotype in Human Solid Tumor Cells
FACS sorted SSEA-4⁺ prostate cancer cells formed fibroblast-like colonies with limited cell-cell contacts whereas SSEA-4^– cells formed cobblestone-like epithelial colonies. SSEA-4⁺ cells displayed strong tumorigenic ability and stable knockdown of SSEA-4 synthesis resulted in decreased cellular adhesion to different extracellular matrices. [Glycobiology] Abstract

Dual Targeting of mTORC1 and mTORC2 by INK-128 Potently Inhibits Human Prostate Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo
Scientists evaluated the potential anti-prostate cancer activity of INK-128, an ATP-competitive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)1/2 dual inhibitor, both in vitro and in vivo. Their results showed that INK-128 exerted potent anti-proliferative activity in established and primary human prostate cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Inhibition of LDHA Suppresses Tumor Progression in Prostate Cancer
Attenuated expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) by siRNA or inhibition of LDHA activities by FX11 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis of PC-3 and DU145 cells. [Tumor Biol] Full Article

Baicalein Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Metastasis via the Caveolin-1/AKT/mTOR Pathway
Scientists investigated the potential effects of baicalein on androgen-independent prostate cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms through which baicalein exerts its actions. [Mol Cell Biochem] Full Article

CMTM3 Is Reduced in Prostate Cancer and Inhibits Migration, Invasion and Growth of LNCaP Cells
Researchers found CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing member 3 (CMTM3) was reduced in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues and cells compared with BPH tissues, and its expression in PCa tissues was related to the Gleason score. [Clin Transl Oncol] Abstract

Endothelial Caveolin-1 Regulates the Radiation Response of Epithelial Prostate Tumors
Investigators examined the role of stromal caveolin-1 (Cav1) for growth and radiation response of MPR31-4 prostate cancer xenograft tumors using Cav1-deficient C57Bl/6 mice. In vitro studies using cultured endothelial cells (ECs) confirmed that the loss of Cav1 expression increases sensitivity of ECs to radiation-induced apoptosis and reduces their clonogenic survival after irradiation. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

A Randomized Phase II Study of Androgen Deprivation Combined with Cixutumumab versus Androgen Deprivation alone in Patients with New Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Patients with new metastatic prostate cancer were randomly assigned within 30 days of initiating androgen deprivation (AD) to cixutumumab added to a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist with bicalutamide versus AD alone. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of Sequential Treatment of Abiraterone Acetate Followed by Docetaxel in Japanese Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Investigators reviewed Japanese Phase I and Phase II trials of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with abiraterone acetate until disease progression and subsequently treated with docetaxel. [Jpn J Clin Oncol] Abstract

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Fred Hutch and Uganda Cancer Institute Open UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre in Kampala
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Uganda Cancer Institute will open the UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre in Kampala, the first comprehensive cancer center jointly constructed by U.S. and African cancer institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release

Prostate Cancer Study Focuses on Role of Protein
A one-year study, led by Professor George Baillie, has received £50,000 funding from the charity Prostate Cancer UK’s Movember Foundation Project and will examine the role the protein PDE4D7 plays in the development of the disease. [University of Glasgow] Press Release

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NHS Pressures at Risk of Stifling Cancer Research
Daily pressures on the NHS are having a serious impact on its ability to support world leading research into cancer, according to a Cancer Research UK commissioned report from the University of Birmingham. The report revealed pockets of excellence in clinical research, but also showed how escalating pressures to deliver routine NHS services are squeezing out time for hospital staff to do vital research. [Cancer Research UK]
Article | Report

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)

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NEW Senior Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Institut Paoli Calmettes)

PhD Student – Design and Evaluation of an Antibody-Drug Conjugate for Prostate Cancer Treatment (Swansea University)

PhD Student – Cancer Stem Cell Immunology (Cardiff University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Molecular Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Technician – Prostate/Breast Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Instructor – Prostate/Breast Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genitourinary Cancers (Geisinger Health System)

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