Inhibits Prostate Cancer Research Articles

Computational evaluation on spectroscopic (FT-IR, Raman), electronic and biological, and NLO properties of cirsilineol by DFT, ADMET, and molecular docking method

Cirsilineol is a natural product that has pharmacological characteristics and is used to prevent the growth of cancer. This study aims to investigate the spectroscopic, electronic, and biological properties of drugs and predict their suitability for drug-like candidates to inhibit prostate cancer. The computational evaluation was performed with density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6−311++G(d,p) level of theory and drug-like characteristics rendered from ADMET analysis. Spectral measurement for IR and Raman provided evidence of intra-molecular hydrogen bonding of the OH group in ring R1. The electronic transition properties of the title compound were determined using TD-DFT with a polarized continuum model in solvent ethanol, resulting in a blue shift in absorption wavelength. The electrostatic potential mapped with the van der Wall surface predicted effective electrophiles and nucleophiles, allowing for the layout of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The pharmacological properties of cirsilineol determined by ADMED analysis confirmed that it is non-toxic. To assess the biological performance of cirsilineol, molecular docking was performed with protein codes 1E3G and 1GS4, which showed inhibition action with binding affinity −7.7 and −7.8 kcal/mol, respectively.

Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibits prostate cancer metastasis by disrupting TCA cycle energy metabolism via NF-kB/p65-mediated OGDH regulation.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant malignancy in men, particularly challenging in the metastatic stage due to poor prognosis and limited treatment efficacy. Traditional Chinese Medicine, particularly Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (MSDD), has demonstrated promise in inhibiting PCa metastasis, although its mechanisms remain unclear. The efficacy of MSDD was evaluated using migration assays and a nude mouse model. Metabolomics was employed to identify the biological processes affected by MSDD. Systematic pharmacology, bioinformatics, and molecular dynamics were utilized to determine direct action targets of MSDD. Additionally, luciferase reporter assays, ChIP-qPCR, and gene editing were applied to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms. MSDD effectively inhibited prostate metastasis both in vivo and in vitro, without significant adverse events reported. Metabolomics and molecular biology experiments indicated that MSDD transcriptionally represses OGDH, affecting energy metabolism associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in PCa. The active components of MSDD were found to potentially bind to the transcription factor RELA (NF-kB-p65), and further experiments demonstrated that RELA regulates OGDH transcription. Further experiments revealed that the anti-metastatic effects of MSDD are RELA-dependent, indicating the crucial role of the NF-kB/OGDH axis in this process. These findings support the clinical use of MSDD in metastatic PCa, emphasizing its potential to address current treatment gaps. The identified NF-kB/OGDH-dependent mechanism not only underpins MSDD's anti-metastatic effects but also reflects OGDH as a potential therapeutic target. Further research into the role of TCA in PCa progression is imperative.

GLP-1 Therapy in Cancer and Its Mechanism

L-advocating cells generate the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is important for weight loss and the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Recent studies have shown that it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces high blood pressure and other effects. In addition, it also has the effect of improving fatty liver, polycystic ovary syndrome. But when it comes to cancer, there are still gaps in its biological effects and mechanisms of action. In order to determine the indirect inhibitory effect of GLP-1RA on cancer as well as the metabolic regulation mechanisms of the cancer microenvironment by directly acting on the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MARK pathways, this paper analyzed studies on GLP-1 and its receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) in lowering cancer prevalence and inhibiting cancer. In turn, it effectively inhibits prostate cancer (PCa), ovarian cancer (OC) and other cancers. This study provides a reference for the indirect and direct mechanisms of GLP-1 and GLP-1RA in reducing cancer prevalence and inhibiting cancer. However, there are still gaps in other synergistic mechanisms that cannot be solved. It is hoped that future studies can focus on the anticancer mechanisms of other GLP-1 drugs.

Berberine inhibits prostate cancer progression by inducing ferroptosis: evidence from network pharmacology.

The uncertain ferroptosis-related role of berberine in prostate cancer was explored using network pharmacology methodology. Integration of ferroptosis targets in prostate cancer from the Genecard database and berberine targets from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and SwissTargetPrediction databases revealed 17 common targets. Among these, 10 hub genes, including CCNB1, CDK1, AURKA, AR, CDC42, ICAM1, TYMS, NTRK1, PTGS2, and SCD, were identified. Enrichment analyses yielded 799 Gene Ontology terms and 23 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways associated with berberine-related targets. Molecular docking simulations indicated berberine's binding capacity to all hub genes. In-vitro studies on LNCaP and PC3 cells demonstrated berberine's inhibition of cell proliferation and significant downregulation of TYMS, CCNB1, AURKA, CDK1, and SCD in both cell lines. Berberine exhibited cell line-specific effects by reducing AR expression in LNCaP cells and suppressing ICAM1 in PC3 cells. Overall, berberine shows promise in inhibiting prostate cancer progression through modulation of ferroptosis-related genes, including TYMS, AR, CCNB1, AURKA, CDK1, ICAM1, NTRK1, SCD, and CDC42.

IRAK2 overexpression restrains prostate cancer progression by regulation of TRAF6 ubiquitination.

Prostate cancer is recognized as one of the most common tumors among men worldwide, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its progression remain to be fully understood. In this study, we explored the role of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 2 (IRAK2) in the progression of prostate cancer. We discovered that IRAK2 expression is downregulated in prostate cancer tissues and cells. Functional assays, including MTT, transwell assays, wound healing assays, and in vivo xenograft models, demonstrated that upregulation of IRAK2 significantly inhibited prostate cancer cell viability, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. Furthermore, we found that IRAK2 modulates the biological functions of prostate cancer by interacting with TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Knockdown of TRAF6 reversed the suppressive effects of IRAK2 overexpression on prostate cancer cell progression. Additionally, IRAK2 was found to suppress the ubiquitination and degradation of TRAF6 in prostate cancer cells. IRAK2 also influenced the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to docetaxel (DTX), and silencing IRAK2 reversed the anti-tumor effects of DTX on prostate cancer cells. Our findings suggest that IRAK2 functions as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for developing effective treatments for prostate cancer.

JARID1D-dependent androgen receptor and JunD signaling activation of osteoclast differentiation inhibits prostate cancer bone metastasis through demethylating H3K4.

Rationale: Bone metastasis and skeletal-related complications are primary causes of mortality in advanced-stage prostate cancer (PCa). Epigenetic regulation, particularly histone modification, plays a key role in this process; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Methods and Results: In mouse models, JARID1D was an important mediator of both visceral and bone metastases. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and immunofluorescence (IF) techniques showed that the H3K4me3 demethylation activity of JARID1D is a key factor in the dynamic regulation of androgen receptor (AR) expression. Further analysis using western blotting and bone culture systems indicated that knocking down JARID1D enhanced the expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) through the AR signaling pathway, leading to increased secretion of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand receptor activator (RANKL) by PCa cells. This in turn promotes osteoclast differentiation and facilitates bone metastasis. In addition, single-cell sequencing results indicated that a reduction in JARID1D levels directly affected osteoclasts, stimulated JunD transcription, and accelerated PCa bone metastasis progression. Finally, both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that the JARID1D agonist JIB-04 effectively blocked these molecular pathways, thereby delaying the onset of bone metastasis in PCa. Conclusions: These insights provide a theoretical foundation for targeting JARID1D and related molecules in the treatment of PCa bone metastasis.

Downregulation of hsa_circ_0006620 inhibits the malignant progression of prostate cancer by regulation of the miR-502-3p/HK2 axis mediated by aerobic glycolysis.

Circular RNAs (circRNA) are a class of covalently-closed, single-stranded RNAs that have been implicated in cancer progression due to their regulation of metabolism. However, the roles of circRNA in prostate cancer remain largely unknown. In this study, fluorescence in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR were used to investigate hsa_circ_0006620 expressions in both prostate cancer cells and tissues, after high-throughput sequencing. The luciferase reporter assay was used to identify hsa_circ_0006620 downstream targets. Transwell migration assays, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine assays, and Cell Counting Kit-8assays were used to investigate both proliferation and migration. In vivo tumorigenesis and metastasis assays were performed to investigate the role of hsa_circ_0006620 in prostate cancer. The results showed that hsa_circ_0006620 expression increased in prostate cancer cells and tissues. Hsa_circ_0006620 downregulation inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation as well as in vivo and in vitro migrations. The luciferase results validated that miR-502-3p and hexokinase 2 (HK2) were hsa_circ_0006620 downstream targets. HK2 overexpression or miR-502-3p inhibition reversed prostate cancer cell migration after hsa_circ_0006620 silencing. The study also found that overexpression of HK2 or inhibition of prostate cancer reversed aerobic glycolysis after hsa_circ_0006620 silencing. In summary, the results showed thathsa_circ_0006620 downregulation inhibited prostate cancerby regulation of the miR-502-3p/HK2 axis mediated by aerobic glycolysis.

EZH2 directly methylates PARP1 and regulates its activity in cancer.

DNA repair dysregulation is a key driver of cancer development. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA repair dysregulation in cancer cells is crucial for cancer development and therapies. Here, we report that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) directly methylates poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), an essential enzyme involved in DNA repair, and regulates its activity. Functionally, EZH2-catalyzed methylation represses PARP1 catalytic activity, down-regulates the recruitment of x-ray repair cross-complementing group-1 to DNA lesions and its associated DNA damage repair; on the other hand, it protects the cells from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide overconsumption upon DNA damage formation. Meanwhile, EZH2-mediated methylation regulates PARP1 transcriptional and oncogenic activity, at least in part, through impairing PARP1-E2F1 interaction and E2F1 transcription factor activity. EZH2 and PARP1 inhibitors synergistically suppress prostate cancer growth. Collectively, our findings uncover an insight of EZH2 functions in fine-tuning PARP1 activity during DNA damage repair and cancer progression, which provides a rationale for combinational targeting EZH2 and PARP1 in cancer.

Kaempferol modulates ɑ2M secretion in bone marrow-derived macrophages by downregulating GR/PER1-mediated lipid metabolism to attenuate the emotional stress-aggravated metastasis of prostate cancer

Ethnopharmacological relevanceProstate cancer patients often suffer from depression during androgen deprivation therapy. Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) can prevent prostate cancer metastasis caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), but its active ingredients and molecular mechanism remain unelucidated. Aim of studyThis study aims to explore the potential targets and molecular mechanisms of CSS in the treatment of emotional stress-aggravated metastasis of prostate cancer. ResultsStress induces nuclear translocation of GR, initiating the transcription of PER1, which leads to an enhanced lipid metabolism and decreased secretion of α2M in BMDMs. CSS, a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula for alleviating depression, can improve prostate cancer metastasis caused by CUMS. Of the active ingredients in CSS, kaempferol demonstrated the highest potency for enhancing α2M secretion in BMDMs and inhibiting prostate cancer cell migration. Kaempferol also inhibited nuclear translocation of GR and the GR/PER1 pathway in Per1-overexpressed BMDMs. ConclusionsThese findings reveal that emotional stress-aggravated prostate cancer growth and metastasis rely on the GR/PER1 pathway and lipid metabolism, as the suppression of this pathway ultimately leads to an increase in α2M secretion in BMDMs and inhibition of PC-3 cell metastasis.

Maslinic acid induces autophagy and ferroptosis via transcriptomic and metabolomic reprogramming in prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer has the second highest incidence among male malignancies. Only a few studies exist on the inhibitory effects of maslinic acid (MA) on prostate cancer. Herein we found that MA inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation by decreasing CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 expression and concurrently increasing p27, Rb, p-Rb expression. Further, MA was observed to induce prostate cancer cell autophagy by increasing the expression of p53, p-p53, ULK1, Beclin1, Atg7, and Atg5 and the ratio of LC3-II/I and concurrently decreasing the expression of ERK1/2 and mTOR. In addition, MA induced RM-1 cell ferroptosis by regulating glutathione, glutamate, and oxidized glutathione concentrations, inhibiting SLC7A11 activity, and downregulating GPX4 expression. Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis led to the identification of key pathways (e.g., pathways in cancer and glutathione metabolism). Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed that MA regulates the expression of ABCA1, JUN, and NFKBIA. In vivo, we demonstrated that 50mg/kg MA significantly inhibited the growth of tumors established using RM-1 cells. To summarize, we report that MA inhibits prostate cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo by inducing autophagy and ferroptosis via transcriptomic and metabolomic reprogramming.

MiR-5100 Overexpression Inhibits Prostate Cancer Progression by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Targeting E2F7.

Despite advances in treatment, prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key regulatory molecules in cancer biology. In this research, we investigated the tumor-suppressive role of miR-5100 in PCa and its underlying molecular mechanism. By using RT-qPCR, we observed lower miR-5100 expression in PCa cell lines than in benign prostate cells. Functional assays demonstrated that miR-5100 overexpression significantly suppressed PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. By using RNA-sequencing, we identified 446 down-regulated and 806 upregulated candidate miR-5100 target genes overrepresenting cell cycle terms. Mechanistically, E2F7 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-5100 using the reporter gene assay and RIP assay. By conducting flow cytometry analysis, cell cycle progression was blocked at the S phase. E2F7 overexpression partially mitigated the suppressive impact of miR-5100 in PCa cells. In conclusion, miR-5100 is a tumor suppressor in PCa by blocking cell cycle and targeting E2F7.

Exosomal PSM-E inhibits macrophage M2 polarization to suppress prostate cancer metastasis through the RACK1 signaling axis

BackgroundIt is well-established that understanding the mechanism of prostate cancer (PCa)-associated metastasis is paramount for improving its prognosis. Metastasis is known to involve the communication between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor cells. Exosomes are crucial in mediating this intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment. Nonetheless, the role of exosomal proteins in PCa metastasis is not yet fully understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of prostate cancer-derived exosomal PSM-E on regulating macrophage M2 polarization to suppress tumor invasion and metastasis.MethodsPSM-E levels in exosomes were detected by transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting analysis. The diagnostic value of urine-derived exosomal PSM-E in PCa were evaluated by LC-MS/MS, correlation analysis, and ROC curves analysis. The mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of exosomal PSM-E on the M2 polarization of macrophages was investigated by co-IP, IHC staining, and PCa tumorigenesis model, etc.ResultsWe revealed that exosomal PSM-E is upregulated in exosomes derived from the serum and urine of PCa patients. Clinically, an elevated exosomal PSM-E expression in urine is significantly correlated with an advanced pathological tumor stage and a high Gleason score. Our research also revealed that exosomal PSM-E inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by suppressing macrophage polarization in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we provided compelling evidence that exosomal PSM-E inhibits M2 polarization of macrophages by recruiting RACK1 and suppressing the FAK and ERK signaling pathways, consequently suppressing PCa invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, we found that the protease-associated domain of PSM-E and the fourth tryptophan-aspartate repeat of RACK1 are crucial for the interaction between PSM-E and RACK1.ConclusionsNotably, exosomes carrying PSM-E from PCa urine could potentially serve as a biomarker for PCa, and targeting exosomal PSM-E may represent a strategy for preventing tumor progression in this patient population.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from Thamnidium elegans and Mortierella alpina Suppress Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration

Thamnidium elegans and Mortierella alpina are two oleaginous fungi that belong to Mucoromycota that synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are credited with multiple health benefits and possible anticancer properties. These fungi were cultivated on culture media, with glucose or glycerol as a carbon source. After extracting the lipids, we transformed them into fatty acid lithium salts (FALSs), which are water-soluble and absorbable mammalian cells, including DU-145 and PC-3 cancer cells. The two cell lines, both long-established prostate cancer models, were treated with FALSs and indicated increased susceptibility to the lipid derivatives. The viability and proliferation rates were significantly reduced, as well as their migratory capabilities, which were significantly impaired compared to olive oil-derived FALS, which was used as a control substance. We conclude that the FALS derivatives of microbial lipids from these organisms exhibit anticancer effects, by suppressing the proliferation and migration of human prostate cancer cell lines.

Friend or foe? Deciphering androgen receptor action to improve bipolar androgen therapy for prostate cancer.

Inhibiting the activity of the androgen receptor (AR) is the cornerstone treatment for advanced prostate cancer. AR-targeted therapies are highly effective in slowing disease progression but are not curative. Failure of these therapies results in a disease state termed castration-resistant prostate cancer, which is associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality. In most cases, resistance to AR-targeted therapies arises due to alterations that reactivate the AR signalling axis. Interestingly, it has long been recognised that potent activation of AR with supraphysiological levels of androgens can suppress prostate cancer growth in both preclinical models and patients. This intriguing paradox, where both inhibition and activation of AR have anti-cancer effects, is now being harnessed clinically in the form of bipolar androgen therapy (BAT). This review describes mechanisms underlying the tumour-suppressive functions of AR in the context of potent androgenic stimulation and discusses how our maturing understanding of these processes is influencing the clinical deployment of BAT.

Cell-autonomous IL6ST activation suppresses prostate cancer development via STAT3/ARF/p53-driven senescence and confers an immune-active tumor microenvironment

BackgroundProstate cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. Recent research highlights the crucial roles IL6ST-mediated signaling pathways play in the development and progression of various cancers, particularly through hyperactivated STAT3 signaling. However, the molecular programs mediated by IL6ST/STAT3 in prostate cancer are poorly understood.MethodsTo investigate the role of IL6ST signaling, we constitutively activated IL6ST signaling in the prostate epithelium of a Pten-deficient prostate cancer mouse model in vivo and examined IL6ST expression in large cohorts of prostate cancer patients. We complemented these data with in-depth transcriptomic and multiplex histopathological analyses.ResultsGenetic cell-autonomous activation of the IL6ST receptor in prostate epithelial cells triggers active STAT3 signaling and significantly reduces tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, genetic activation of IL6ST signaling mediates senescence via the STAT3/ARF/p53 axis and recruitment of cytotoxic T-cells, ultimately impeding tumor progression. In prostate cancer patients, high IL6ST mRNA expression levels correlate with better recurrence-free survival, increased senescence signals and a transition from an immune-cold to an immune-hot tumor.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate a context-dependent role of IL6ST/STAT3 in carcinogenesis and a tumor-suppressive function in prostate cancer development by inducing senescence and immune cell attraction. We challenge the prevailing concept of blocking IL6ST/STAT3 signaling as a functional prostate cancer treatment and instead propose cell-autonomous IL6ST activation as a novel therapeutic strategy.

A Marine-Derived Small Molecule Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth by Promoting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy.

MHO7 (6-epi-ophiobolin G), a novel component extracted from a mangrove fungus, exhibits significant anticancer effects against breast cancer. However, the precise mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of MHO7 in prostate cancer (PCa) is yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the effect of MHO7 on PCa cells and elucidate its underlying mechanism. A series of in vitro experiments were conducted, including Cell Counting Kit-8, and plate clone formation assays, flow cytometry analysis, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, and molecular dynamics simulation. Additionally, in vivo tumor xenograft models were employed. Our findings revealed that MHO7 could induce cellular autophagy at low concentration (2 μM) and apoptosis at relatively high concentration (4 and 8 μM), leading to significant PCa cell growth inhibition. Furthermore, MHO7 triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which subsequently stimulated autophagy and apoptosis via IRE1α/XBP-1s signaling pathway activation. Notably, IRE1α knockdown markedly reduced MHO7-induced autophagy and apoptosis. Moreover, MHO7 targeted the IRE1α protein, thereby enhancing its stability. MHO7 also exhibited substantial anticancer activity in tumor xenograft models. Our study revealed that MHO7 holds considerable potential as an anticancer agent against PCa, attributable to its activation of ER stress-induced autophagy and apoptosis at different concentrations, facilitated by the upregulation of IRE1α expression.

Mesoporous Biosilica Beads for Controlled Selenium Nanoparticle Delivery from Collagen‐Chitosan Scaffolds: Promoting Bone Formation and Suppressing Prostate Cancer Growth

The controlled delivery of selenium nanoparticles (Se‐NPs) is promising for bone cancer treatment due to their dual benefits in bone regeneration and tumor inhibition, yet achieving an optimal dosing regimen remains challenging. Natural mesoporous biosilica (BS) beads have shown promise for drug delivery due to their microporous structure. This study explores incorporating BS beads into collagen‐chitosan (Coll‐CS) scaffolds, known for bone repair, to control Se‐NP delivery. Two approaches are compared: loading Se‐NPs into BS beads before integrating them into Coll‐CS scaffolds versus directly loading Se‐NPs into Coll‐CS scaffolds. The scaffold properties, Se release kinetics, cytocompatibility, and effects on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) are evaluated. BS bead‐loaded scaffolds provide controlled Se‐NP release and enhanced mechanical properties compared to directly loaded scaffolds. Higher Se‐NP concentrations in BS‐loaded scaffolds effectively promote MSC osteogenic differentiation and mineralisation while inhibiting LNCaP cell viability. In contrast, low Se‐NP concentrations not only induce early osteogenic differentiation but also promote cancer cell proliferation, underscoring the need for optimal Se‐NP concentration and release. These findings suggest that BS bead‐loaded Coll‐CS scaffolds are a promising strategy for controlled Se‐NP delivery, addressing the dual challenges of bone formation and cancer recurrence prevention in bone cancer treatment.

A nanoprodrug derived from branched poly (ethylene glycol) recognizes prostate-specific membrane antigen to precisely suppress prostate cancer progression

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in 80–90 % of prostate cancers (PCa) and is widely used as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker. Docetaxel (DTX), an FDA-approved anti-microtubule drug, is commonly employed to manage metastatic castration-resistant PCa; however, DTX therapy is often associated with severe side effects. One promising strategy to mitigate these side effects is the development of nanomedicine by loading small molecules into biocompatible vectors. Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been extensively used in clinical settings for this purpose, with PEGylated drugs demonstrating significant success. Compared to linear PEG, branched PEG (multi-arm PEG) provides enhanced stability for nanomedicines. In this study, we developed a novel nanoprodrug 4armPEG-Docetaxel DCL (4armPEG-DD) by conjugating a 4-arm PEG with DTX via a reduction-sensitive disulfide bond and further modifying it with 2-[3-[5-amino-1-carboxypentyl]-ureido]-pentanedioic acid (DCL), a PSMA-targeting ligand. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the designed nanoprodrug specifically recognized PSMA-positive PCa cells and effectively released DTX in response to the intracellular reducing environment, leading to potent cytotoxic effects on PSMA-positive prostate tumors. Importantly, 4armPEG-DD exhibited improved in vivo safety compared to small-molecule DTX. Thus, we propose that 4armPEG-DD represents a promising candidate for the clinical treatment of PSMA-positive PCa.

Sialylated glycoproteins suppress immune cell killing by binding to Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer death in the U.S. Current immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapies have improved survival for many malignancies; however, they have failed to prolong survival for prostate cancer. Siglecs (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins) are expressed on immune cells and regulate immune responses and function. Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 contribute to immune evasion by interacting with their ligands. However, the role of Siglec-7/9 receptors and their ligands in prostate cancer remains poorly understood. Here, we find that Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 are associated with poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients, and are highly expressed in myeloid cells, including macrophages, in prostate tumor tissues. Siglecs-7 and -9 ligands were expressed in prostate cancer cells and human prostate tumor tissues. Blocking the interactions between Siglec-7/9 and sialic acids inhibited prostate cancer xenograft growth and increased immune cell infiltration in humanized mice in vivo. Using a CRISPRi screen and mass spectrometry, we identified CD59 as a candidate Siglec-9 ligand in prostate cancer. The identification of Siglecs-7 and -9 as potential therapeutic targets, including CD59/Siglec-9 axis, opens up opportunities for immune-based interventions in prostate cancer.

Circ_0001047 inhibits prostate cancer progression and enhances abiraterone sensitivity via miR-122-5p/FKBP5/PHLPP1/AKT axis in vitro

Prostate cancer (PCa), with high heterogeneity and poor prognosis, is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified in tumor progression and resistance to medication in numerous studies. However, the role of circ_0001047 in PCa is unclear. In this research, we found that circ_0001047 had low expression in PCa cells and tissues and was negatively correlated with testosterone secretion in vivo. Overexpression of circ_0001047 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and anti-apoptotic abilities of human PCa cells in vitro. Mechanistically, circ_0001047 promoted the expression of FKBP5 through sponge adsorption of miR-122-5p and then inhibited the proliferation, anti-apoptotic migration, and invasion abilities of PCa cells. In addition, overexpression of circ_0001047 enhanced the sensitivity of PCa cells to abiraterone by inhibiting AKT phosphorylation activation through upregulation of FKBP5/PHLPP1. This study revealed a novel mechanism by which circ_0001047 regulates PCa progression and treatment sensitivity via the miR-122-5p/FKBP5/PHLPP1/AKT axis. These findings deepen our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms in latent PCa progression and treatment resistance.Graphical