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Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples
Published on: March 14, 2014
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Heterogeneous copper concentrations in cancerous human prostate tissues
Delphine Denoyer1, Sharnel A S Clatworthy1, Shashank Masaldan1
1Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
The Prostate
|May 28, 2015
Summary
Prostate cancer tissues show increased copper levels, but with significant variability. Serum copper remains unchanged, suggesting personalized treatment strategies for copper-targeted therapies in a subset of patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Trace Element Metabolism
- Prostate Cancer Research
Background:
- Copper-targeted therapeutics are under clinical investigation for prostate cancer treatment.
- Elevated intracellular copper may sensitize prostate cancer cells to specific copper compounds.
- In vitro studies suggest prostate cancer cells accumulate copper, but in vivo data in patients is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if copper concentrations increase in cancerous prostate tissues and sera during disease progression.
- To correlate copper levels with prostate cancer severity (Gleason Score).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of copper content in human prostate tissue samples (n=28) and matched sera using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
- Comparison of copper levels in cancerous tissues versus age-matched normal tissues.
Main Results:
- Cancerous prostate tissues with moderate (Gleason Score 7) and aggressive (Gleason Score 9) disease showed significantly higher copper concentrations (1.6-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively) compared to normal tissues.
- However, copper concentrations within individual cancerous tissue samples were highly variable, with many falling within the normal range.
- Serum copper concentrations did not differ in patients with moderate or aggressive prostate cancer compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The heterogeneous distribution of copper in prostate cancer tissues indicates that only a subset of patients may benefit from therapies targeting elevated intratumoral copper.
- Personalized treatment strategies are likely necessary for effective copper-targeted therapeutic approaches in prostate cancer.
