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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Atorvastatin and celecoxib inhibit prostate PC-3 tumors in immunodeficient mice
Xi Zheng1, Xiao-Xing Cui, Gina E Avila
1Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Purpose:
To investigate the effects and mechanisms of atorvastatin and celecoxib administered individually or in combination on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells cultured in vitro or grown as xenograft tumors in immunodeficient mice.
Experimental Design:
Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells in culture were treated with atorvastatin and celecoxib alone or in combination. Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were injected s.c. with PC-3 cells. The mice received daily i.p injections starting 2 days before tumor cell inoculation and continuing during the course of treatment with atorvastatin (10 microg/g body weight/d), celecoxib (10 microg/g/d), a combination of atorvastatin (10 microg/g/d) and celecoxib (10 microg/g/d), or a combination of atorvastatin (5 microg/g/d) and celecoxib (5 microg/g/d).
Results:
Atorvastatin in combination with celecoxib had stronger effects on growth inhibition and apoptosis of PC-3 cells than either agent used individually. Atorvastatin and celecoxib in combination also had a stronger inhibitory effect on activation of nuclear factor-kappaB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in PC-3 cells than either agent alone. Treatment of SCID mice with combinations of atorvastatin and celecoxib more effectively inhibited the formation and growth of PC-3 tumors in the mice than either agent administered alone.
Conclusions:
A combination of atorvastatin and celecoxib had a more potent inhibitory effect on the growth of PC-3 cells cultured in vitro or grown in SCID mice than either agent alone. A combination of atorvastatin and celecoxib may be an effective strategy for the prevention of prostate cancer.
Insights
Combining atorvastatin and celecoxib shows greater effectiveness in inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth and tumor development than either drug alone. This combination may offer a novel strategy for prostate cancer prevention.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern.
- Investigating novel therapeutic strategies is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the combined effects of atorvastatin and celecoxib on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying their action in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- PC-3 cells were treated with atorvastatin and celecoxib individually and in combination.
- Xenograft tumors were established in immunodeficient mice and treated with varying doses of the drugs.
Main Results:
- Combination therapy demonstrated enhanced inhibition of PC-3 cell growth and induced apoptosis.
- Combined treatment significantly suppressed nuclear factor-kappaB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation.
- Tumor formation and growth were more effectively inhibited in mice treated with the drug combination.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin and celecoxib in combination exhibit a more potent inhibitory effect on prostate cancer growth than monotherapy.
- This combination represents a promising strategy for prostate cancer prevention and treatment.
