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 "We
started noticing that the castration resistant prostate cancer models in the
lab seemed to express genes that are typically associated with the spread of
cancer," Reiter said. "We began to ask what cell signaling pathways might be
responsible. We looked at the androgen receptor and were surprised to find
that it was not only overexpressed in castration resistant cancers but also in
invasive cancers that still relied on androgen to grow."
The study found that overexpression of the androgen receptor was critical to
the cancer becoming more invasive. If a therapy could be found that blocked
overexpression of the receptor, it might prevent the spread of certain
prostate cancers.
Traditionally, doctors don't like to use hormone treatment - which stops the
production of testosterone - early on in the treatment of prostate cancer
because of the harsh side effects, which can include hot flashes, osteoporosis
and sexual dysfunction. In the past, doctors have waited until the cancer
spread to prescribe hormone therapy, Reiter said.
"This study may provide additional scientific rationale to support the recent
trend that giving hormone treatment early on is better than waiting," Reiter
said. "Early hormone treatment in this group of men might allow them to live
longer. High levels of androgen receptor in the primary tumor might also
predict which cancers are more likely to spread despite initial surgery or
radiation."
This strategy could be particularly effective in high risk men, those with
large primary tumors, high Gleason scores and those that have lymph node
involvement at diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. This
year alone, more than 218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
About 27,000 men will die from the disease.
Reiter and his team will next seek to understand the mechanism by which
androgen receptor overexpression is causing the cancer to spread. If they can
uncover the mechanism, they might find new and better targets for drug therapy
in addition to targeting the androgen receptor.
UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises about 235 researchers and
clinicians engaged in disease research, prevention, detection, control,
treatment and education. One of the nation's largest comprehensive cancer
centers, the Jonsson center is dedicated to promoting research and translating
basic science into leading-edge clinical studies. In July 2007, the Jonsson
Cancer Center was named the best cancer center in California by U.S. News &
World Report, a ranking it has held for eight consecutive years.
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