Androgens Induce Resistance to bcl-2-mediated Apoptosis in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells

Guy J. Berchem, Manon Bosseler, La Vencia Y. Sugars, H. James Voeller, Samantha Zeitlin, Edward P. Gelmann*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

160 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We describe an in vitro model for prostate cancer treatment that suggests a potential benefit for combined androgen ablation and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Androgen treatment of the LNCaP hormone-dependent human prostate cancer cell line induces increased expression of the BCL-2 protein. Increased levels of this protein are known to mediate inhibition of apoptosis. LNCaP cells, however, did not undergo apoptosis in response to androgen withdrawal. Etoposide exerts its cytotoxicity on LNCaP and other cells by inducing apoptosis. In vitro etoposide cytotoxicity was diminished 83% in the presence of either 10-8 M dihydrotestosterone or 10-9 M R1881 in LNCaP cells. The interaction between androgen and etoposide was mediated through the BCL-2 protein, since bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides blocked the protective effect of androgens on etoposide cytotoxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)735-738
Number of pages4
JournalCancer Research
Volume55
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 1995
Externally publishedYes

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