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01/31: Breakthrough study at the BC Cancer Agency halts growth of prostate cancer in the lab
Decoy molecules prevent unknown agent from triggering prostate cancer cells
A new study at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) sets the stage for the development of innovative approaches to treat androgen-independent prostate cancer, the advanced stage of the disease for which there is currently no cure.
Dr. Marianne Sadar, a senior scientist at the BCCA, engineered a molecule in her lab that blocked the growth of prostate cancer and shrank the size of the tumour.
The results, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, build on previous discoveries made in Dr. Sadar’s lab regarding the important role androgen receptors play in the progression of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is fuelled when the receptor is activated, which occurs when the male hormone testosterone (androgen) binds to it. However, the receptor can also be activated without testosterone - a process that may underlie androgen-independent tumour growth. Dr. Sadar discovered that an unknown agent causes this activation when the agent binds to a unique region of the androgen receptor.
“We were able to block the unknown agent from binding on the vulnerable area of the androgen receptor, thereby stopping the growth of prostate cancer cells,” says Dr. Sadar.
Dr. Sadar and her team created decoy molecules that are copies of the region on the androgen-receptor believed to be essential for the unknown agent to connect. The decoy molecules were tested on mice inoculated with human prostate cancer tissue.
“By flooding the specimen with these engineered decoys, the unknown agent is fooled into binding onto the decoys instead of the androgen receptor,” says Dr. Sadar. “It’s really a matter of statistical competition – the more decoys you have ‘competing’ with the receptor to connect with the agent, the better your chances of stopping cancer growth.”
This study opens doors to possible new therapies to treat or prevent advanced prostate cancer, explains Dr. Sadar. “With the understanding of how androgen receptors are activated at this stage of the disease, we have identified a new drug target.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men. In B.C., approximately 3,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 and an estimated 570 will die.
The study was funded by the US Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program. Critical equipment was purchased with funds raised by the Country Meadows Senior Men’s Golf Charity.
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
For more information, please contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
604.877.6272
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca
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