Prostate Cell News Volume 8.29 | Aug 4 2017

TOP STORY

Numb^-/low Enriches a Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer Cell Subpopulation Associated with Enhanced Notch and Hedgehog Signaling

Researchers elucidated the role and molecular mechanism of Numb in prostate cancer (PCa) and the functional contribution of Numb^-/low PCa cells in castration resistance. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Androgen Receptor Variants Mediate DNA Repair after Prostate Cancer Irradiation

Investigators found that androgen receptor splice variants (ARVs) increase the clonogenic survival of prostate cancer (PCa) cells after irradiation in an androgen deprivation therapy-independent manner. Notably, PCa cell irradiation triggered binding of ARVs to the catalytic subunit of the critical DNA repair kinase DNA-PK. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Norcantharidin Induces Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis through Mcl-1 Inhibition in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Scientists showed that norcantharidin (NCTD) induced PCa cell apoptosis and triggered caspase activation, which was associated with mitochondria dysfunction. Mechanistic investigations suggested that NCTD modulated the Akt signaling via increased nuclear translocation and interaction with the myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) promoter by FOXO4, resulting in an apoptotic effect. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Targeting Apoptotic Activity against Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

Researchers analyzed the enhancement of the anticancer effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand by paclitaxel, cabazitaxel and docetaxel in the whole population of PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells, but also in CD44⁺/CD24⁻ prostate cancer stem cells. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

3-O-Substituted-3′,4′,5′-Trimethoxyflavonols: Synthesis and Cell-Based Evaluation as Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents

Twenty-two 3-O-substituted-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonols have been designed and synthesized for their anti-proliferative activity towards three human prostate cancer cell lines. The authors indicated that most of them are significantly more potent than the parent 3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavonol in inhibiting the cell proliferation in PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell models. [Bioorg Med Chem] Abstract

Iminoenamine Based Novel Androgen Receptor Antagonist Exhibited Anti-Prostate Cancer Activity in Androgen Independent Prostate Cancer Cells through Inhibition of AKT Pathway

Scientists identified a novel androgen receptor (AR) antagonist having a bulky β-iminoenamine BF2 complex scaffold. The tested and standard ligands were screened in AR positive, AR negative, and non-cancerous cell lines through anti-proliferation assay. [Chem Biol Interact] Abstract

Atorvastatin Enhances Radiosensitivity of Hypoxia-Induced Prostate Cancer Cells Related with HIF-1α Inhibition

The authors investigated the effect of atorvastatin on HIF-1α expression and radiosensitivity of prostate cancers cells. Astorvastatin reduced the HIF-1α protein expression in hypoxia-induced PC3 cells, and induced apoptosis of both control and hypoxia-induced cells with and without irradiation. [Biosci Rep] Abstract | Full Article

Androgen-Responsive Circular RNA circSMARCA5 Is Up-Regulated and Promotes Cell Proliferation in Prostate Cancer

Investigators found circular RNA (circ)SMARCA5 was up-regulated in prostate cancer samples compared to match normal tissues. They also observed that circSMARCA5 expression was significantly induced after DHT treatment. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Cabazitaxel versus Docetaxel as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Phase III Trial—FIRSTANA

In patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), overall survival (OS) is significantly improved with cabazitaxel versus mitoxantrone after prior docetaxel treatment. FIRSTANA assessed whether cabazitaxel 20 mg/m² or 25 mg/m² is superior to docetaxel 75 mg/m² in terms of OS in patients with chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Tumor Organoids as a Pre-Clinical Cancer Model for Drug Discovery

Scientists highlight what is currently known about tumor organoid culture, the advantages and challenges of the model system, compare it with other pre-clinical cancer models, and evaluate its value for drug development. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract

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

Advaxis to Present at 3^rd CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival

Advaxis, Inc. announced three abstracts were selected for presentation. [Press release from Advaxis, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2017 CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference, Mainz/Frankfurt] Press Release

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Clovis Oncology Announce a Broad Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate Combination of Opdivo (Nivolumab) and Rubraca^® (Rucaparib) in Phase II and Pivotal Phase III Clinical Trials in Multiple Tumor Types

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Clovis Oncology, Inc. announced the companies have entered into a clinical collaboration agreement to evaluate the combination of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo and Clovis Oncology’s poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor Rubraca in pivotal Phase III clinical trials. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

Madison Vaccines Announces First Patient Dosed in an Expanded Combination Trial of Mvi-816 Plus Keytruda^® for Metastatic, Treatment-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Madison Vaccines Incorporated announced that the first patient has been dosed in an expanded clinical trial to further extend the potential benefits of checkpoint inhibitors to men with advanced prostate cancer. [Madison Vaccines Incorporated] Press Release

CRISPR Patent Battle in Europe Takes a ‘Wild’ Twist with Surprising Player

MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, has become a new major player in the complicated European patent battles over CRISPR, the revolutionary genome-editing tool. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Discredited Gene-Editing Researcher Vows to Clear His Name

A Chinese biologist whose team retracted a high-profile paper on a gene-editing technology has vowed to press ahead with experiments that he hopes will vindicate the potential rival to the CRISPR/Cas9 system. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Drug Approval Needs a Helping Hand

It’s time for researchers to lend their expertise to expediting the arrival of cutting-edge therapies that are waiting in the wings. [Nature News] Editorial

Senate Passes FDA User Fee and Right-to-Try Bills

The Senate has voted in quick succession to pass bills reauthorizing the FDA to collect fees from the industry and expanding access to unapproved medicines. President Trump is set to sign the user fee bill into law, while the right-to-try legislation will go to the House. [FierceBiotech] Editorial

Iranian Scientist to Go on Trial for Espionage

An Iranian disaster-medicine researcher who was sent to prison in April 2016 is due to go to trial, on charges of “collaboration with a hostile government”. Ahmadreza Djalali has been warned by the Iranian court that he may be facing a death sentence, according to his wife, Vida Mehrannia. [Nature News] Editorial

Jordan Stakes Its Future on Science

Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan successfully lured the high-profile biennial conference to the Middle East for the first time — part of Jordan’s ongoing push to transform itself into a regional research powerhouse. The country hopes to emphasize the power of science to transcend politics and war in the increasingly volatile Middle East. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 91^st Annual Meeting of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association (AUA)
November 13-17, 2017
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Translational Cancer Disparities Research (Duke Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Prostate Cancer (University of South Carolina)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

Computational Biologist – Prostate Cancer (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Post-Doctoral Research Associate Position – Translational Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Scholar Position – Prostate Cancer (Case Western Reserve University)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Cleveland Clinic)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Related Diseases (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Functional Cancer Genomics (Institute of Oncology Research)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Research (Institute of Oncology Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer and Head & Neck Cancer (University of Maryland)

Assistant Member – Prostate Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Drug Discovery (The Vancouver Prostate Centre)

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