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The Role of RB in Prostate Cancer Progression

Deborah L Burkhart1, Katherine L Morel1, Anjali V Sheahan1

  • 1Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The RB tumor suppressor gene is frequently mutated in aggressive prostate cancer. Loss of RB function can drive cancer cell plasticity and resistance to therapy, revealing new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • The RB tumor suppressor is a critical regulator of cell proliferation and is frequently altered in human cancers, particularly in aggressive prostate cancer.
  • Decades of research have elucidated the canonical RB pathway involving cell cycle control via E2F transcription factors.
  • Emerging evidence highlights non-canonical RB functions, potentially crucial in advanced prostate cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of RB tumor suppressor loss in prostate cancer development and progression.
  • To investigate the non-canonical functions of RB beyond its canonical E2F interactions in prostate cancer.
  • To identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities arising from RB loss in prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on RB tumor suppressor functions in cancer.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on RB mutations in prostate cancer, particularly aggressive and metastatic disease.
  • Examination of research on RB's role in cellular processes beyond proliferation, including lineage plasticity and therapy resistance.

Main Results:

  • RB mutations are prevalent in aggressive, metastatic prostate cancer.
  • Loss of RB function can induce lineage plasticity in prostate cancer mouse models.
  • This plasticity contributes to resistance against androgen deprivation therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Non-canonical RB functions, including regulation of lineage plasticity, are critical in advanced prostate cancer.
  • Understanding RB's downstream effects after loss may uncover novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Targeting vulnerabilities created by RB loss could offer new treatment avenues for prostate cancer patients.

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