Inhibition of prostate cancer growth by vinblastine and tamoxifen
K J Pienta1, T Replogle, J E Lehr
1Meyer L Prentis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Abstract:
Hormone refractory prostate cancer continues to be an aggressive and fatal disease. Agents which inhibit microtubule function have been found to be cytotoxic to prostate cancer cells in preclinical and clinical settings. It was the aim of this study to assess the activity of tamoxifen and vinblastine, two microtubule inhibitors, in hormone refractory prostate cancer. In clinically achievable concentrations, the combination of tamoxifen and vinblastine was cytotoxic to both Dunning rat prostate adenocarcinoma cell line MAT-LyLu (MLL) and human prostate cancer cells (PC-3). In cell cycle analysis assays, tamoxifen and vinblastine inhibited cell cycle transit. In vivo, these two agents inhibited the growth of implanted MLL cells. It appears that tamoxifen and vinblastine may be effective agents for the treatment of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer.
Insights
Tamoxifen and vinblastine, microtubule inhibitors, show promise against hormone refractory prostate cancer. This combination proved cytotoxic to cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hormone refractory prostate cancer is an aggressive, fatal disease.
- Microtubule-inhibiting agents demonstrate cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of tamoxifen and vinblastine in hormone refractory prostate cancer.
- To assess the combined activity of these two microtubule inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays using Dunning rat prostate adenocarcinoma (MLL) and human prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines.
- Cell cycle analysis to determine effects on cell transit.
- In vivo studies using implanted MLL cells to assess tumor growth inhibition.
Main Results:
- Tamoxifen and vinblastine demonstrated cytotoxicity against both MLL and PC-3 cells at clinically achievable concentrations.
- Both agents inhibited cell cycle progression.
- In vivo, the combination therapy suppressed the growth of implanted MLL tumors.
Conclusions:
- Tamoxifen and vinblastine exhibit potential as effective agents for treating hormone refractory prostate cancer.
- The combination therapy warrants further investigation for clinical application.
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