Prostate Cell News Volume 7.40 | Oct 28 2016

TOP STORY

The Master Neural Transcription Factor BRN2 is an Androgen Receptor Suppressed Driver of Neuroendocrine Differentiation in Prostate Cancer

Using a unique model of androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitor-resistant prostate cancer, the authors identified AR-dependent control of the neural transcription factor BRN2 as a major driver of neuroendocrine prostate cancer and aggressive tumor growth, both in vitro and in vivo. [Cancer Discov] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Targeted Molecular-Genetic Imaging and Ligand-Directed Therapy in Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer

Researchers evaluated ligand-directed strategies based on SNTRVAP-displaying adeno-associated virus/phage (AAVP) particles in mice bearing MDA-PCa-118b, a patient-derived xenograft of castration-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis that they exploited as a model of aggressive variant prostate cancer. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

An Interaction with Ewing’s Sarcoma Breakpoint Protein EWS Defines a Specific Oncogenic Mechanism of ETS Factors Rearranged in Prostate Cancer

Investigators found that four oncogenic ETS (ERG, ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5), and no other ETS, interact with the Ewing’s sarcoma breakpoint protein (EWS). This EWS interaction was necessary and sufficient for oncogenic ETS functions including gene activation, cell migration, clonogenic survival, and transformation. The EWS interacting region of ERG has no homology with that of ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Nanoparticle Targeting CD44-Positive Cancer Cells for Site-Specific Drug Delivery in Prostate Cancer Therapy

Scientists showed hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles successfully encapsulated epigallocatechin-3-gallate and were efficiently internalized into cancer cells via CD44 ligand receptor recognition, induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and inhibited prostate cancer cell growth. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Prostate Cancer-Associated Mutation in SPOP Impairs Its Ability to Target Cdc20 for Poly-Ubiquitination and Degradation

The physiological role of SPOP in regulating prostate tumorigenesis remains elusive. Scientists identified the Cdc20 oncoprotein as a novel ubiquitin substrate of Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP). [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Nuclear Transcription Factor Nrf2 Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cells Growth and Migration through Upregulating Ferroportin

Researchers investigated the effect of nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 on the transcription of Ferroportin (FPN) in prostate cancer cells, and the regulation mechanisms of FPN on cell viability, migration and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article

URI Regulates KAP1 Phosphorylation and Transcriptional Repression via PP2A Phosphatase in Prostate Cancer Cells

URI and the components of its larger nuclear protein complex have yet to be characterized. Investigators showed that the KRAB-associated protein 1 (KAP1) and the protein phosphatase PP2A interact with URI. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

SOCS1 Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Prostate Cancer Cells, Attenuates Tumor Growth and Modulates the Tumor Stroma

They authors have shown that suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) inhibits MET receptor kinase signaling, a key oncogenic pathway in cancer progression. They evaluated the role of SOCS1 in attenuating MET signaling in prostate cancer cells and tumor growth in vivo. [Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis] Abstract

Suppression of LIM and SH3 Domain Protein 1 (LASP1) Negatively Regulated by Androgen Receptor Delays Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer Progression

The authors aimed to clarify the significance of LASP1 as a target for prostate cancer, and to test the effect of silencing LASP1 in vivo using antisense oligonucleotides. [Prostate] Abstract

Intracellular Delivery of the PTEN Protein Using Cationic Lipidoids for Cancer Therapy

Investigators showed that intracellular delivery of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) with EC16-80 to the PTEN deficient prostate cancer cell line PC-3 resulted in a significant decrease in activated AKT and induced apoptosis. [Biomater Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Prospective Study of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Anti-Diabetic Drugs, and Risk of Prostate Cancer

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has consistently been associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer, however, if this decrease is related to the use of anti-diabetic drugs is unknown. Investigators prospectively studied men in the comparison cohort in the Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden with data on T2DM, use of metformin, sulphonylurea, and insulin retrieved from national health care registers and demographic databases. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Adenovirus Vector Carrying REIC/DKK-3 Gene: Neoadjuvant Intraprostatic Injection for High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy

As the first-in-human study of in situ gene therapy using an adenovirus vector carrying the human REIC (reduced expression in immortalized cell)/Dkk-3 gene (Ad-REIC), researchers conducted neoadjuvant intraprostatic injections in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy. [Cancer Gene Ther] Full Article

The Current Evidence on Statin Use and Prostate Cancer Prevention: Are We There Yet?

The authors discuss the increasing amount of data to support an inverse association between statin use and cancer risk. The findings for prostate cancer, particularly advanced disease, are the most promising of all cancers studied. [Nat Rev Urol] Abstract

The Impact of Local Treatment of the Primary Tumor Site in Node Positive and Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients

Surgical treatment of the primary tumor in patients with metastatic prostate cancer is gaining traction. The authors discuss the biological rational and the existing literature on this approach. [Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis] Abstract

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

Weill Cornell Medicine Researcher Receives $1.5 Million NIH New Innovator Award

Dr. Eftychia Apostolou, an assistant professor of molecular biology in medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, has won a New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health for her research on how cells preserve their identity under normal conditions or alter it during pathogenesis, such as cancer. [Weill Cornell Medicine] Press Release

FDA Approves Supplemental New Drug Application for XTANDI in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Astellas Pharma Inc. and Pfizer Inc. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental New Drug Application to update the U.S. product labeling for XTANDI^® (enzalutamide) capsules to include new clinical data versus bicalutamide from the TERRAIN study. The data demonstrate improvement in radiographic progression-free survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who were treated with enzalutamide compared to patients who were treated with bicalutamide. [Astellas Pharma Inc.] Press Release

Emulate Announces Translational R&D Collaboration with Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC

Emulate, Inc. announced its strategic collaboration with the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of University of Southern California (USC) to use Emulate’s Organs-on-Chips technology to conduct leading-edge translational R&D that can advance cancer treatment and patient well-being. [Emulate, Inc.] Press Release

Scientific Challenges Loom for Canada’s Popular Prime Minister

Many in Canada’s science community say they are reserving judgement, waiting to see whether Trudeau can sustain his string of victories as he tackles some of country’s thorniest science-policy issues. [Nature News] Editorial

Review Finds Misconduct in Events Surrounding WHO Fetal Growth Study

For the first time in its 68-year history, the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that researchers are guilty of research misconduct. An independent review commissioned by WHO has found that “research ethics misconduct occurred” in a multimillion-dollar global study on fetal growth led by researchers at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Two Major California Research Institutes Will Merge

One of the biggest nonprofit biomedical research outfits in the world is getting a new translational medicine research arm, aimed at speeding the conversion of basic research insights into novel medicines. Officials at the Scripps Research Institute announced that it will merge with the California Institute for Biomedical Research, which was launched in 2012 as a nonprofit version of a drug development company. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

To Save Money, NSF Requires University Cost-Sharing for Rotators

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has decided that universities should pay 10% of the salaries of faculty members working temporarily at the agency. NSF hopes the new policy will demonstrate its commitment to saving taxpayer dollars without alienating the academic community that it relies upon to stay on the cutting edge of basic science. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 29^th Lorne Cancer Conference
February 9-11, 2017
Lorne, Australia

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Prostate Cancer Genomics (The Ohio State University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pharmacogenomics Prostate Cancer (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer Biology (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Bioinformatician – Prostate Cancer (University of Oxford)

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)

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

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

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