Potential Therapeutic Target for Prostate Cancer Identified

Researchers from the University of Sydney's Department of Surgery have made significant progress in identifying a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer, according to a report published in Clinical Cancer Research. The study focuses on cytosolic phospholipase A2-alpha (cPLA2-alpha), an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the development and progression of prostate cancer.

Key Takeaways:

• The expression of cPLA2-alpha is found in all prostate cancer cell lines, but its presence is significantly increased in androgen-insensitive cells.
• Inhibition of cPLA2-alpha using small interfering RNA or the inhibitor Wyeth-1 results in significant reductions in prostate cancer cell numbers, due to reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis.
• The study's results show that cPLA2-alpha activity is reduced, leading to a decrease in cyclin D1 expression and phosphorylation of Akt.
• The cPLA2-alpha inhibitor Wyeth-1 inhibited PC3 xenograft growth by approximately 33% and reduced cyclin D1 expression.
• Immunohistochemistry of human prostate tissue revealed that phosphorylated cPLA2-alpha is increased when hormone refractory cancer is reached.

Statistics:

• Approximately 33% increase in growth inhibition of PC3 xenografts using Wyeth-1.
• Significant reduction (not specified) in prostate cancer cell numbers following inhibition of cPLA2-alpha.
• Cyclin D1 expression decreased following inhibition of cPLA2-alpha.

Sources:

• Patel, M. I., et al. (2008). Cytosolic phospholipase A2-alpha: a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Clinical Cancer Research, 14(24), 8070-9.
• University of Sydney, Department of Surgery
• American Association for Cancer Research (publisher of Clinical Cancer Research)