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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Prophylactic noscapine therapy inhibits human prostate cancer progression and metastasis in a mouse model
Israel Barken1, Jack Geller, Moshe Rogosnitzky
1The Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation, 6823 Deer Hollow PI, San Diego, CA, USA. drbarken@pcref.org
Background:
Noscapine has demonstrated potent antitumour activity and minimum toxicity in cancer models. Recently, noscapine has been shown to limit tumour growth and lymphatic metastasis of PC3 human prostate cancer mice. The prophylactic effects of noscapine are not known.
Materials And Methods:
Nude mice received oral noscapine (300 mg/kg per day; 'treatment'; n=10) or diluent ('control'; n=10) for 56 days, beginning 7 days after inoculation with PC3 human prostate cancer cells; or noscapine for 70 days, beginning 7 days before inoculation ('pretreatment'; n=10).
Results:
Mean total tumour volumes were 1731.6+/-602.0 mm(3) in the control group, 644.3+/-545.1 mm(3) in the noscapine pretreatment group and 910.9+/-501.1 mm(3) in the noscapine treatment group (p<0.001 pretreatment vs. control, p<0.05 pretreatment vs. control, p<0.001 pretreatment vs. treatment group), with no evidence of toxicity. Noscapine pretreatment and treatment also reduced tumour weight, the incidence of metastasis and primary tumour inhibition rate.
Conclusion:
Pretreatment with oral noscapine limited tumour growth and lymphatic metastasis of PC3 human prostate cancer in this mouse model and conferred a significant additional benefit over noscapine treatment in final tumour volume.
Insights
Noscapine pretreatment significantly reduced prostate cancer growth and metastasis in mice. This prophylactic approach offered greater benefits than treatment alone, with no observed toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
- Cancer Metastasis
Background:
- Noscapine exhibits potent antitumour activity with minimal toxicity in preclinical cancer models.
- Previous studies showed noscapine limits tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis in PC3 prostate cancer mouse models.
- The prophylactic (preventive) effects of noscapine against prostate cancer were previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prophylactic effects of noscapine on prostate cancer growth and metastasis.
- To compare the efficacy of noscapine pretreatment versus treatment in a mouse model of human prostate cancer (PC3).
Main Methods:
- Nude mice were inoculated with PC3 human prostate cancer cells.
- Mice received either oral noscapine (300 mg/kg/day) or a diluent control for 56 days (treatment group).
- A separate group received noscapine for 70 days, starting 7 days before tumor cell inoculation (pretreatment group).
Main Results:
- Noscapine pretreatment significantly reduced mean total tumor volume compared to control (644.3 mm³ vs. 1731.6 mm³).
- Pretreatment also showed a significant benefit over the treatment group in final tumor volume (644.3 mm³ vs. 910.9 mm³).
- Noscapine administration (both pretreatment and treatment) reduced tumor weight, metastasis incidence, and increased the primary tumor inhibition rate without toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Pretreatment with oral noscapine effectively limited tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis of PC3 prostate cancer in mice.
- Prophylactic administration of noscapine provided a significant additional benefit compared to therapeutic treatment.
- Noscapine demonstrates potential as a prophylactic agent against prostate cancer progression.
