Bicalutamide's Role in Prostate Tumor Progression
Author Information
Author(s): Culig Z, Hoffmann J, Erdel M, Eder I E, Hobisch A, Hittmair A, Bartsch G, Utermann G, Schneider M R, Parczyk K, Klocker H
Primary Institution: University of Innsbruck
Hypothesis
Switching from antagonist to agonist of the androgen receptor blocker bicalutamide is associated with prostate tumour progression.
Conclusion
Bicalutamide can acquire agonistic properties during long-term androgen ablation, potentially affecting prostate cancer progression.
Supporting Evidence
- LNCaP-abl cells showed a hypersensitive proliferative response to androgen until passage 75.
- Bicalutamide stimulated proliferation of LNCaP-abl cells.
- AR protein expression in LNCaP-abl cells increased approximately fourfold.
- Bicalutamide exhibited agonistic effects on AR transactivation activity in LNCaP-abl cells.
Takeaway
When treating prostate cancer, a drug called bicalutamide can start helping tumors grow instead of stopping them after a long time without androgens.
Methodology
A new tumor model was established using androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells kept in androgen-depleted medium, and various androgen levels were tested for their effects on cell proliferation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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