Prostate Cell News Volume 6.20 | Jun 5 2015

Prostate-Specific G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Collaborates with Loss of PTEN to Promote Prostate Cancer Progression
Scientists report a new mouse model combining prostate-specific loss of tumor-suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) with probasin promoter-driven prostate-specific G-protein-coupled receptor (PSGR) overexpression. PSGR overexpression increased LNCaP proliferation, whereas PSGR short hairpin RNA knockdown inhibited proliferation and migration. [Oncogene] Abstract

Nonautophagic Cytoplasmic Vacuolation Death Induction in Human PC-3M Prostate Cancer by Curcumin through Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Investigators report that curcumin induced apoptosis in LNCaP, DU145, and PC-3 cells but triggered extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation in PC-3M cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Prostate Sphere-Forming Stem Cells Are Derived from the P63-Expressing Basal Compartment
Scientists showed that the sphere-forming prostate stem cells (P-SCs) are P63-expressing cells and reside in the basal compartment. Therefore they designated them as basal P-SCs (P-bSCs). P-bSCs are capable of differentiating into AR⁺ and CK18⁺ organoid cells, but organoid cells cannot form spheres. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Type 2 Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Preserves Stemness and Prevents Differentiation of Prostate Stem Cells from the Basal Compartment
Scientists report that the type 2 FGF receptor (FGFR2) signaling axis is crucial for preserving stemness and preventing differentiation of prostate stem cells. Ablation of Fgfr2 in vivo reduces number of P63-expressing basal cells and enriches luminal cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Press Release

Clinical Significance of CUL4A in Human Prostate Cancer
The authors investigated the possible role of cullin 4A (CUL4A) in prostate tumorigenesis. CUL4A knockdown with siRNA in prostate cancer cells decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Curcumin Inhibits Growth of Prostate Carcinoma via miR-208-Mediated CDKN1A Activation
Researchers studied the effects of low-dose curcumin on prostate cancer (PC) cell growth. Curcumin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of PC cells, without affecting cell apoptosis. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Enhanced Regulation of Cell Cycle and Suppression of Osteoblast Differentiation Molecular Signatures by Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Holoclones
LNCaP and PC3 parent cells were capable of responding to stem cell differentiation morphogen retinoic acid, suggesting the presence of inherent stem-like properties. LNCaP cells, which represent early, androgen-responsive disease, formed holoclones after twenty six days. [J Clin Pathol] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Androgen Deprivation Therapy plus Docetaxel and Estramustine versus Androgen Deprivation Therapy Alone for High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer (GETUG 12): A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial
Researchers assessed the effects of combined docetaxel and estramustine on relapse in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer. [Lancet Oncol] Abstract | Commentary

A Phase I Study of Muscadine Grape Skin Extract in Men with Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Safety, Tolerability, and Dose Determination
MPX is pulverized muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) skin that contains ellagic acid, quercetin, and resveratrol and demonstrates preclinical activity against prostate cancer cells in vitro. In the Phase I portion of this Phase I/II study, non-metastatic biochemically recurrent prostate cancer patients were assigned to increasing doses of MPX. [Prostate] Abstract

Tokai Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation
Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a poster presentation outlining the design and rationale for ARMOR3-SV, the planned pivotal Phase III trial of galeterone in AR-V7 positive castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. [Press release from Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release | Abstract

Adjuvant Chemo Ups Survival in High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer
The addition of docetaxel and prednisone to standard therapy may be the first effective adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for men with high-risk localized prostate cancer, according to a Phase III study. [Press release from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (UBM Medica, LLC) discussing research presented at the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release | Abstract

Immediate ADT Improved Survival in Prostate Cancer with Rising PSA
Immediate assignment to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) resulted in improved overall survival and time to clinical progression in prostate cancer patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, according to the results of the Phase III TROG 03.06 and VCOG PR 01-03 trial. [Press release from University of Washington (UBM Medica, LLC) discussing research presented at the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release | Abstract

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ASCO Launches First-Ever Clinical Trial: Aims to Learn from Patients with Advanced Cancer Who Lack Standard Treatment Options
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has announced its first-ever clinical trial that will offer patients with advanced cancer access to molecularly-targeted cancer drugs and collect “real-world” data on clinical outcomes to help learn the best uses of these drugs outside of indications approved by the Food and Drug Administration. [American Society of Clinical Oncology] Press Release

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 Research Scientists – Tissue Biorepository and Data Resource for Prostate Cancer (NYU Langone Medical Center)

Research Assistant Professor or Instructor – Prostate Cancer (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer, Stem Cell, and Developmental Biology (Columbia University Medical Center)

Senior Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Institut Paoli Calmettes)

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