Prostate Cell News Volume 8.13 | Apr 7 2017

TOP STORY

Clinical Significance of Androgen Receptor Splice Variant-7 mRNA Detection in Circulating Tumor Cells of Men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated with First- and Second-Line Abiraterone and Enzalutamide

Scientists prospectively enrolled 202 patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer starting abiraterone or enzalutamide and investigated the prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection and androgen receptor splice variant-7 (AR-V7) detection using a CTC-based AR-V7 mRNA assay. [J Clin Oncol] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Radium-223 Inhibits Osseous Prostate Cancer Growth by Dual Targeting of Cancer Cells and Bone Microenvironment in Mouse Models

Researchers examined the mode-of-action and antitumor efficacy of radium-223 in two prostate cancer xenograft models. Radium-223 inhibited tumor-induced osteoblastic bone growth and protected normal bone architecture leading to reduced bone volume in LNCaP and abiraterone-resistant LuCaP 58 models. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

ΔNp63α Promotes Adhesion of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cells to the Bone through Regulation of CD82

Scientists identified a sub-population of bone metastatic prostate cancer cells in the PC3 cell line that express ΔNp63α. They discovered that ΔNp63α favors adhesion and stem-like growth of these cells in the bone microenvironment. [Oncogene] Full Article

Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2-Mediated Matriptase Activation Contributes to the Suppression of Prostate Cancer Cell Motility and Metastasis

Researchers investigated the molecular mechanism of how cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2) promotes prostate cancer (PCa) cell invasion and metastasis and evaluated the effect of COX-2 inhibitors in a selected model of PCa progression. Their results showed that the expression of COX-2 and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) was upregulated in highly invasive PCa cells and was correlated with the activated levels of membrane-anchored serine protease matriptase. [Oncogene] Abstract

The Prostate Metastasis Suppressor Gene NDRG1 Differentially Regulates Cell Motility and Invasion

Investigators demonstrated that N-myc downregulated gene 1 (NDRG1)-deficient prostate tumors have decreased integrin expression and reduced cell adhesion and motility. Their data indicated that loss of NDRG1 differentially affects RhoGTPases. Specifically, there was a downregulation of active RhoA and Rac1 GTPases with a concomitant upregulation of active Cdc42 in NDRG1-deficient cells. [Mol Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

Screening the Active Compounds of Phellodendri amurensis Cortex for Treating Prostate Cancer by High-Throughput Chinmedomics

The authors established an integrative strategy to discover the effective compounds and their therapeutic targets using P. amurensis cortex (PAC) aimed at inhibiting prostate cancer as a case study. Scientists found that PAC could be inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors of prostate cancer. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Notch-4 Silencing Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth and EMT via the NF-κB Pathway

Scientists observed a marked increase in Notch-4 expression in the prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines DU145, PC3 and LnCAP compared with the non-malignant prostate epithelial cell line RWPE1. Knocking down the expression of Notch-4 suppressed the viability and proliferation in the PCa cell lines DU145 and PC3. [Apoptosis] Abstract

Differentiating True Androgen Receptor Inhibition from Cytotoxicity-Mediated Reduction of Reporter-Gene Transactivation In Vitro

The authors assessed the suitability of multiplexing a cell viability assay within the CALUX^® transcriptional activation test for anti-androgenicity. Tests of both well-characterized anti-androgens and cytotoxic compounds demonstrated the suitability of this approach for discerning between the molecular mechanisms of action without altering the nuclear receptor assay; though some compounds were both cytotoxic and anti-androgenic. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

IL-15 Regulates Migration, Invasion, Angiogenesis and Genes Associated with Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in Prostate Cancer

Investigators determined the role of interleukin-15 (IL-15) in prostate cancer (PCa) using in vitro and in vivo models, and gene expression analysis. In vitro studies showed that IL-15 decreased PCa cell motility at both concentrations. In vivo studies showed that IL-15 increased neutrophil infiltration, and the expression of adiponectin, desmin and alpha smooth muscle actin in the tumor tissue. [PLoS One] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Safety and Efficacy of Two-Weekly Cabazitaxel in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Investigators evaluated the safety and efficacy of a two-weekly cabazitaxel schedule in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. This prospective pilot study suggests that cabazitaxel 16 mg/m² given bi-weekly has a manageable toxicity profile in docetaxel and abiraterone acetate pretreated mCRPC patients. A prospective Phase III trial versus the standard cabazitaxel regimen is planned to confirm these results. [BJU Int] Abstract

Extracellular Vesicles for Liquid Biopsy in Prostate Cancer: Where Are We and Where Are We Headed?

The authors review the current literature on the molecular profile of prostate cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in model systems and patient biological fluids in an attempt to draw some practical and universal conclusions on the use of EVs as a tool for liquid biopsy in clinical specimens. [Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis] Full Article

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BERG Announces BPM 31510 Data Presentations in Immuno-Oncology, Glioblastoma Multiforme, Pancreatic Cancers and Novel Prostate Cancer Biomarker Panel

BERG announced seven poster presentations showing promising preclinical data. The data reflects the impact of BERG’s leading product candidate, BPM 31510, to augment immune responses and potentially improve outcomes of patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme, pancreatic cancer, and other metabolic cancers. [Press release from BERG, LLC. discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Washington D.C.] Press Release

ESSA Pharma Provides Clinical Study Update and Announces Presentations

ESSA Pharma Inc. provided an update on the status of its Phase I clinical study of EPI-506 for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. [Press release from ESSA Pharma Inc. discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Washington D.C.] Press Release

Sierra Oncology Collaborator ICR Reports Preclinical Synthetic Lethality Data for Chk1 Inhibitor SRA737

Sierra Oncology, Inc. reported that preclinical results for its Chk1 inhibitor, SRA737, were presented. The data demonstrated that inhibition of B-family DNA polymerases, POLA1, POLE and POLE2, combined with inhibition of Chk1, was synthetically lethal in numerous cancer cell lines. [Press release from Sierra Oncology, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Washington D.C.] Press Release

Tip Sheet: Immunotherapy Trials, Prostate Cancer Biology among Research Findings to Be Presented by Johns Hopkins Scientists

Cancer’s sweet tooth may play a role in increasing the risk of lethal prostate cancers. The findings are preliminary results from a review of data collected among more than 5,000 men enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, a prospective national study of heart disease that began in 1987. [Press release from Johns Hopkins University discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Washington D.C.] Press Release

Estetrol (E4) Shows Promise as a Safe Effective Drug for Use in Advanced Prostate Cancer

The natural fetal estrogen estetrol, also called E4, is being tested as a new drug that may help treat advanced prostate cancer, according to an ongoing industry-sponsored study from the Netherlands. [Press release from the Endocrine Society discussing research presented at the Endocrine Society’s 99^th Annual Meeting & Expo (ENDO 2017), Orlando] Press Release

New Molecules May Offer Treatment Option for Some Aggressive Prostate Cancers

Novel molecules called selective androgen receptor degraders may offer the next generation of treatment options for advanced prostate cancer, a new industry-sponsored study reports. [Press release from the Endocrine Society discussing research presented at the Endocrine Society’s 99^th Annual Meeting & Expo (ENDO 2017), Orlando] Press Release

Madison Vaccines Inc. Says Prostate Cancer Expert Douglas McNeel, MD, PhD, Will Address the World Vaccine Congress about New Immunologic Approaches to Prostate Cancer

Douglas McNeel, MD, PhD, will address the World Vaccine Congress on strategies to apply the promising field of immunologic therapy to prostate cancer. [Press release from Madison Vaccines Inc. discussing research to be presented at the the World Vaccine Congress, Washington D.C.] Press Release

ESSA Pharma Receives US$1.2 Million Grant Payment from Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas

ESSA Pharma Inc. announced the receipt of a US$1.2 million payment from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas. The payment recognizes eligible expenditures made by ESSA in conducting the Phase I dose escalation clinical trial of EPI-506 currently underway, and also costs incurred in preparation for the Phase II dose expansion clinical trial expected to begin later this year. [ESSA Pharma Inc.] Press Release

Indian FDA Approves the First Autologous Dendritic Cell-Based Immuno-Oncology Product, APCEDEN^®

APAC Biotech, was granted with a commercial license by Indian FDA to market product, APCEDEN^®, a dendritic cell-based autologous immuno-oncology product for four cancer indication namely prostate, ovarian, colo-rectal and non small cell lung carcinoma. [APAC Biotech Pvt. Ltd (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

QIAGEN Expands Liquid Biopsy Pipeline with AR-V7 Test in Prostate Cancer

QIAGEN N.V. announced it is commercializing the research use only AdnaTest Prostate Cancer Panel AR-V7 to detect the androgen receptor splice variant 7 from liquid biopsies to investigate resistance to potential drugs for advanced prostate cancer. [QIAGEN N.V.] Press Release

Japanese Scientists Call for Boycott of Military Research

The Science Council of Japan, an advisory body to the cabinet, representing some 850,000 Japanese scientists, released a statement calling on scientists to boycott military research and for universities and research organizations to evaluate the threats posed by such work. [Nature News] Editorial

Initiative Aims to Break Science’s Citation Paywall

The Initiative for Open Citations (I4OC) aims to allow anyone to access science papers’ reference lists and to build analytical services on top of that raw data. Started by the Wikimedia Foundation in San Francisco, California and five other partner organizations, I4OC announced at its official launch that 29 organizations, including some of the world’s largest scientific publishers, have now agreed to openly release citation data. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Dynamics in Health, Disease and Aging
May 21-26, 2017
West Palm Beach, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer (University of South Carolina-School of Medicine)

NEW Faculty Position – Genitourinary Oncology (Northwestern University)

Scientist – Prostate Cancer Research (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate/Pancreatic Cancer (Medical College of Wisconsin)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer Research (Vancouver Prostate Center)

PhD Student – Prostate Cancer Research (Vancouver Prostate Center)

Faculty Position – Urologic Pathology (University of California Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Computational Cancer Biology (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Urological Cancers (Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Genomics and Molecular Biology (The George Washington University)

PhD Studentships – Translational Research Network for Prostate Cancer (University of Glasgow)

Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics of Cancer (Dartmouth College / Geisel School of Medicine)

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