Abstract 2229: CD117 expression and activation in prostate cancer progression

Abstract

Abstract We have demonstrated that CD117/c-kit expression on circulating tumor cells and in primary tumors correlates with advanced disease in prostate cancer patients. In addition, the ligand for CD117, stem cell factor (SCF) is increased in high-grade prostate cancer patients. To examine the effects of CD117 activation and expression on prostate cancer progression, we sorted CD117 positive and negative RM1 murine prostate cancer cells and LNCaP-C4-2 human prostate cancer cells. Sorted cells were then examined for tumorigenicity, proliferation, cell signaling, cell migration, angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. A xenograft model demonstrated that CD117 positive LNCaP-C4-2 tumors generate larger tumors characterized by increased vascularization and proliferation. In vitro, SCF induced CD117 activation results in altered cell signaling, migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In addition, in vivo imaging of tumor growth demonstrated changes in tumor cell organization between CD117 positive and negative cell populations. In summary, CD117 expression and activation enhances prostate cancer progression. Citation Format: Bethany Kerr. CD117 expression and activation in prostate cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2229. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2229