Prostate Cell News Volume 7.38 | Oct 14 2016

TOP STORY

N-Myc Induces an EZH2-Mediated Transcriptional Program Driving Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

Researchers showed that N-Myc overexpression leads to the development of poorly differentiated, invasive prostate cancer that is molecularly similar to human neuroendocrine prostate cancer. This includes an abrogation of androgen receptor signaling and induction of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 signaling. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

IGFBP3 and MAPK/ERK Signaling Mediates Melatonin-Induced Anti-Tumor Activity in Prostate Cancer

To evaluate the mechanisms underlying the indole effects on neuroendocrine differentiation and its impact on prostate cancer progression researchers used a cell culture model and a murine model. Persistent ERK1/2 activation was found in both, melatonin and androgen-deprived cells. Melatonin blocked nuclear translocation of androgen receptor, thus confirming anti-androgenic actions of the indole. [J Pineal Res] Abstract

EAF2 Regulates DNA Repair through Ku70/Ku80 in the Prostate

Scientists showed that knockdown of ELL-associated factor 2 (EAF) or its homolog EAF1 sensitized prostate cancer cells to DNA damage and the sensitization did not require p53. [Oncogene] Full Article

Enhanced Growth Inhibition of Prostate Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo by a Recombinant Adenovirus-Mediated Dual-Aptamer Modified Drug Delivery System

The authors showed how ADDP-Ad5 significantly inhibits the cell growth of both LNCaP and PC3 cells. ADDP-Ad5 was active in vivo against LNCaP and PC3 tumor xenografts and exhibited no significant toxicity to the mice. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

The ETS Factor ESE3/EHF Represses IL-6 Preventing STAT3 Activation and Expansion of the Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Compartment

Researchers identify IL-6 as a direct target of ESE3/EHF that is activated in prostate epithelial cells upon loss of ESE3/EHF. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Nutlin-3 Inhibits Androgen Receptor-Driven C-FLIP Expression, Resulting in Apoptosis of Prostate Cancer Cells

The authors describe a mechanism by which the androgen receptor (AR) can be downregulated by the MDM2 antagonist Nutlin-3, resulting in loss of pro-survival c-FLIP gene expression and apoptosis. They additionally showed that loss of c-FLIP sensitizes prostate cancer cells to Nutlin-3. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Exploitation of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Transcription Factor Dependencies by the Novel BET Inhibitor ABBV-075

Researchers tested if transcription factor drivers of castration-resistant prostate cancer clinical progression, including the androgen receptor, are critically dependent on BRD4 and thus represent a sensitive solid tumor indication for the BET inhibitor ABBV-075. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase by Metformin Induces Protein Acetylation in Prostate and Ovarian Cancer Cells

Scientists showed that activation of AMP-activated protein (AMP) kinase with the widely used anti-diabetic drug metformin or with the AMP mimetic AICAR increases the inhibitory phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and decreases the conversion of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, leading to increased protein acetylation and altered gene expression in prostate and ovarian cancer cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Growth by Solanine Requires the Suppression of Cell Cycle Proteins and the Activation of ROS/P38 Signaling Pathway

Scientists investigated the inhibition mechanism of solanine on cancer development in vivo and in cultured human prostate cancer cell DU145 in vitro. [Cancer Med] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

10-Year Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer

Investigators compared active monitoring, radical prostatectomy, and external-beam radiotherapy for the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. [N Engl J Med] Full Article

The Prognostic Value of Stromal FK506-Binding Protein 1 and Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer Outcome

The authors used immunohistochemistry on a cohort of 64 patient-matched benign and malignant prostate tissues, they assessed patient outcome by FKBP51 and AR levels. [Prostate] Abstract

Androgen Receptor Variation Affects Prostate Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance

The authors summarized the current literature pertaining to the biochemical effects of AR variants and their consequences on prostate cancer therapies at both the molecular level and in clinical treatment. [Pharmacol Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the prostate cell research field.

Custirsen Shows No Survival Benefits in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

A Phase III randomized controlled trial of custirsen in combination with cabazitaxel/prednisone in patients with previously-treated metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer has shown no significant survival gains compared to cabazitaxel/prednisone alone. [Press release from Institut Gustave Roussy (European Society for Medical Oncology) discussing research presented at the 2016 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, Copenhagen] Press Release

Pitt Urology Department Opens Cooperative Research Center with $7.7M Federal Grant

The Department of Urology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has been awarded more than $7.7 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health to create an O’Brien Urology Cooperative Research Center, tasked with investigating important factors involved with benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms. [University of Pittsburgh] Press Release

Multi-Million-Dollar Research Effort Aims to Cripple Cancer’s Deadly Ability to Spread

A $9-million grant from the National Cancer Institute will support a diverse team led by Johns Hopkins researchers to look for new ways to attack one of the scariest traits of this disease: its frequent refusal to stay in one place. [Johns Hopkins University] Press Release

Purdue-Related Startup Develops Late-Stage Prostate Cancer Therapy

A biomedical startup that licensed a Purdue University technology has developed a late-stage prostate cancer therapy that could provide an alternative to current hormone therapies that are known to develop resistance after prolonged use. [Purdue Foundry] Press Release

Leading Scientists Clash over Sweeping UK Research Reforms

UK government plans to shake up the way the country’s research is funded are causing dissent among leading British scientists. At the Science Media Centre in London, some of the country’s most eminent researchers clashed over the draft laws, which involve bringing together several existing funding bodies — including the UK’s seven research councils — into one central funder called UK Research and Innovation. [Nature News] Editorial

Grant Awards: Diversity Boost

A recruitment and retention program launched by the Howard Hughes Medical Institution in Chevy Chase, Maryland, aims to reduce barriers for women and under-represented minorities who seek academic-research careers in the life sciences. [Nature Careers] Editorial

Investors Flee as Firm Scraps RNA-Interference Drug Candidate

A prominent developer of drugs that use RNA interference has abandoned one of its leading candidates amid safety concerns — sending a fresh wave of worry through a field that has long struggled to bring treatments to market. [Nature News] Editorial

The Many Shades of European Postdoc Funding

Finding the right grant or fellowship to fund a postdoc can be a challenge, and the situation is all the more complex in Europe, where academic systems, career prospects, and living costs vary widely among countries. [Science Careers] Editorial

NEW VII InterAmerican Oncology Conference
October 5-6, 2017
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Bioinformatician – Prostate Cancer (University of Oxford)

NEW Bioinformatics – Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Prostate Disease (Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer Genomics (The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer Biology (University of Maryland)

Chair of Medical Biology (Masaryk University)

Postdoctoral Fellow(s) – Uterine Fibroids and Prostate Cancer (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Research Intern – Prostate Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Prostate Cancer (Oregon Health & Science University)

Senior VP and Director Clinical Research – Oncology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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