Inhibition of Aquaporin 3 Increases Sensitivity of Prostate Cancer Cells to Cryotherapy

Cancer gene therapy researchers in Guildford, the United Kingdom, have discovered that inhibiting aquaporin 3 increases the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to cryotherapy. This breakthrough study findings suggest that targeting aquaporin 3 may improve the efficacy of prostate cryotherapy. The researchers used PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells and found that cells treated with aquaporin 3 siRNA were more sensitive to cryoinjury than control cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers in Guildford, UK, investigated the role of aquaporin 3 in sensitizing prostate cancer cells to cryotherapy and found that inhibiting aquaporin 3 increases the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to freezing.
  • The study used PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells and found that cells treated with aquaporin 3 siRNA were more sensitive to cryoinjury than control cells.
  • The researchers discovered that aquaporin 3 is involved directly in cryoinjury and that inhibiting it may be a strategy to improve the efficacy of prostate cryotherapy.
  • The study used mercuric chloride and small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplex to inhibit aquaporin 3.
  • The expression of aquaporin 3 in response to freezing was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis.
  • The study also found that the expression of aquaporin 3 was significantly increased in response to freezing.

Statistics:

  • 0, -5, and -10 degrees C were the temperatures used to cool PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells.
  • The study used 2 cell lines: PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells.
  • 1.4-1.7 fold increase in aquaporin 3 expression was observed in response to cooling.
  • The study used 1.5 miRNA (miRNAs) to inhibit aquaporin 3.
  • The expression of aquaporin 3 was significantly increased in response to freezing (p<0.05).

Sources:

  • British Journal of Cancer (2009;100(12):1889-95)
  • Cancer Gene Therapy Week (via NewsRx.com)