Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent
Published on: September 3, 2013
Effect of antifreeze proteins on frozen primary prostatic adenocarcinoma cells
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA.
Objectives:
Recent studies show that prostate adenocarcinoma cells can survive cryosurgery and that cell destruction depends on the specific thermal parameters used during freezing. The goal of this preliminary study is to determine whether certain chemical compounds, known as antifreeze proteins, can induce complete human primary prostatic adenocarcinoma cell destruction by freezing, regardless of the thermal parameters used. The study also examines the mechanism by which antifreeze proteins bring about cell destruction.
Methods:
Antifreeze proteins were added to solutions containing human primary prostatic adenocarcinoma cells. The cells were frozen with controlled thermal parameters using a directional solidification apparatus attached to a light microscope. Cell viability was determined after thawing as a function of antifreeze protein concentration and cooling rate during freezing.
Results:
The dose response study shows that for all the cooling rates tested, 10-mg/mL solutions of antifreeze protein cause the complete destruction of human primary prostatic adenocarcinoma cells frozen to a temperature at which, without these proteins, the cells survive freezing. Light microscopy shows that the lethal effect of the antifreeze proteins is related to the formation of intracellular ice in the frozen cells. CONCLUSIONS; This preliminary study has demonstrated that antifreeze proteins have the ability to generate complete destruction of prostatic adenocarcinoma cells frozen to high subzero temperatures irrespective of the cooling rates used during freezing. This suggests that introducing antifreeze proteins into undesirable tissues prior to freezing may increase the efficacy and the control over tissue destruction by cryosurgery.
Insights
Antifreeze proteins can completely destroy prostate cancer cells during freezing, regardless of cooling rates. This mechanism involves intracellular ice formation, enhancing cryosurgery efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Cryobiology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prostate adenocarcinoma cells can survive cryosurgery.
- Cell destruction in cryosurgery depends on thermal parameters.
- Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are known to protect organisms from freezing damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if AFPs can induce complete destruction of human primary prostatic adenocarcinoma cells by freezing.
- To investigate if AFP-induced cell destruction is independent of thermal parameters.
- To examine the mechanism by which AFPs cause cell destruction.
Main Methods:
- Human primary prostatic adenocarcinoma cells were incubated with AFPs.
- Cells were frozen using controlled thermal parameters with a directional solidification apparatus.
- Cell viability was assessed post-thawing based on AFP concentration and cooling rate.
Main Results:
- 10 mg/mL AFP solutions achieved complete destruction of cancer cells across tested cooling rates.
- AFP-induced cell death occurred even at temperatures where cells normally survive freezing.
- Light microscopy revealed intracellular ice formation as the mechanism of AFP lethality.
Conclusions:
- AFPs can completely destroy prostatic adenocarcinoma cells at high subzero temperatures, independent of cooling rates.
- AFP introduction into tissues prior to freezing may improve cryosurgery effectiveness.
- This suggests a novel approach to enhance targeted tissue destruction via cryosurgery.
