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Alizadeh-Ghodsi M, Owen KL, Townley SL, Zanker D, Rollin SP, Hanson AR, Shrestha R, Toubia J, Gargett T, Chernukhin I, Luu J, Cowley KJ, Clark A, Carroll JS, Simpson KJ, Winter JM, Lawrence MG, Butler LM, Risbridger GP, Thierry B, Taylor RA, Hickey TE, Parker BS, Tilley WD, Selth LA. Potent Stimulation of the Androgen Receptor Instigates a Viral Mimicry Response in Prostate Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:706-724. [PMID: 36923279 PMCID: PMC10010308 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inhibiting the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, with androgen deprivation therapy is a standard-of-care treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Paradoxically, activation of AR can also inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in some patients and experimental systems, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. This study exploited a potent synthetic androgen, methyltestosterone (MeT), to investigate AR agonist-induced growth inhibition. MeT strongly inhibited growth of prostate cancer cells expressing AR, but not AR-negative models. Genes and pathways regulated by MeT were highly analogous to those regulated by DHT, although MeT induced a quantitatively greater androgenic response in prostate cancer cells. MeT potently downregulated DNA methyltransferases, leading to global DNA hypomethylation. These epigenomic changes were associated with dysregulation of transposable element expression, including upregulation of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) transcripts after sustained MeT treatment. Increased ERV expression led to accumulation of double-stranded RNA and a "viral mimicry" response characterized by activation of IFN signaling, upregulation of MHC class I molecules, and enhanced recognition of murine prostate cancer cells by CD8+ T cells. Positive associations between AR activity and ERVs/antiviral pathways were evident in patient transcriptomic data, supporting the clinical relevance of our findings. Collectively, our study reveals that the potent androgen MeT can increase the immunogenicity of prostate cancer cells via a viral mimicry response, a finding that has potential implications for the development of strategies to sensitize this cancer type to immunotherapies. Significance Our study demonstrates that potent androgen stimulation of prostate cancer cells can elicit a viral mimicry response, resulting in enhanced IFN signaling. This finding may have implications for the development of strategies to sensitize prostate cancer to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Alizadeh-Ghodsi
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Katie L. Owen
- Cancer Evolution and Metastasis Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Scott L. Townley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Damien Zanker
- Cancer Evolution and Metastasis Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel P.G. Rollin
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Adrienne R. Hanson
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Raj Shrestha
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - John Toubia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- ACRF Cancer Genomics Facility, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Tessa Gargett
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Igor Chernukhin
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jennii Luu
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karla J. Cowley
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashlee Clark
- Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Prostate Cancer Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason S. Carroll
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kaylene J. Simpson
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jean M. Winter
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mitchell G. Lawrence
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Prostate Cancer Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Cabrini Institute, Malvern, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa M. Butler
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gail P. Risbridger
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Prostate Cancer Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Cabrini Institute, Malvern, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin Thierry
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio and Nano Science and Technology, University of South Australia, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia
| | - Renea A. Taylor
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Cabrini Institute, Malvern, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program, Prostate Cancer Research Group, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Theresa E. Hickey
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Belinda S. Parker
- Cancer Evolution and Metastasis Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wayne D. Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luke A. Selth
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
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Zierau O, Kolodziejczyk A, Vollmer G, Machalz D, Wolber G, Thieme D, Keiler AM. Comparison of the three SARMs RAD-140, GLPG0492 and GSK-2881078 in two different in vitro bioassays, and in an in silico androgen receptor binding assay. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 189:81-86. [PMID: 30825507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Selective androgen receptor modulators comprise compounds that bind as ligands to the androgen receptor and possess tissue-selective activities. Ideally, they show agonistic properties in anabolic target tissues, while inducing antagonistic or only weak agonistic effects in reproductive organs. Due to their myoanabolic effects, selective androgen receptor modulators are included in the list of prohibited substances and methods of the World Anti-Doping Agency. In the current investigation, the androgenic potential of RAD-140, GSK-2881078 and GLPG0492 was comparably investigated in two different in vitro bioassays. In the yeast androgen screen, the androgenic effects were lower than in the reporter gene assay in prostate carcinoma cells (e.g. for GSK-2881078, the EC50 values were 4.44 × 10-6M in the yeast screen and 3.99 × 10-9M in the prostate cells respectively). For future investigations, it is of importance whether the yeast androgen screen, which has been proven to detect androgenic compounds in urine, can detect an abuse of the selective androgen receptor modulators. Molecular modeling of the binding to the androgen receptor ligand binding domain suggests slight differences in the binding modes of RAD-140, GSK-2881078 and GLPG0492. In conclusion, androgenic activity of the three non-steroidal compounds in the two different in vitro test systems confirmed the results of the in silico modeling of the androgen receptor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Zierau
- Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, Technical University Dresden, Germany
| | - Annika Kolodziejczyk
- Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, Technical University Dresden, Germany
| | - Günter Vollmer
- Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, Technical University Dresden, Germany
| | - David Machalz
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (Computer-Aided Drug Design), Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (Computer-Aided Drug Design), Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Detlef Thieme
- Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry Dresden, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Annekathrin Martina Keiler
- Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, Technical University Dresden, Germany; Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry Dresden, Kreischa, Germany.
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Bailey K, Yazdi T, Masharani U, Tyrrell B, Butch A, Schaufele F. Advantages and Limitations of Androgen Receptor-Based Methods for Detecting Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse as Performance Enhancing Drugs. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151860. [PMID: 26998755 PMCID: PMC4801337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone (T) and related androgens are performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) abused by some athletes to gain competitive advantage. To monitor unauthorized androgen abuse, doping control programs use mass spectrometry (MS) to detect androgens, synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) and their metabolites in an athlete’s urine. AASs of unknown composition will not be detected by these procedures. Since AASs achieve their anabolic effects by activating the Androgen Receptor (AR), cell-based bioassays that measure the effect of a urine sample on AR activity are under investigation as complementary, pan-androgen detection methods. We evaluated an AR BioAssay as a monitor for androgen activity in urine pre-treated with glucuronidase, which releases T from the inactive T-glucuronide that predominates in urine. AR BioAssay activity levels were expressed as ‘T-equivalent’ concentrations by comparison to a T dose response curve. The T-equivalent concentrations of androgens in the urine of hypogonadal participants supplemented with T (in whom all androgenic activity should arise from T) were quantitatively identical to the T measurements conducted by MS at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory (0.96 ± 0.22). All 17 AASs studied were active in the AR BioAssay; other steroids were inactive. 12 metabolites of 10 commonly abused AASs, which are used for MS monitoring of AAS doping because of their prolonged presence in urine, had reduced or no AR BioAssay activity. Thus, the AR BioAssay can accurately and inexpensively monitor T, but its ability to monitor urinary AASs will be limited to a period immediately following doping in which the active AASs remain intact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Bailey
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Tahmineh Yazdi
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Umesh Masharani
- Division of Endocrinology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Blake Tyrrell
- Division of Endocrinology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Anthony Butch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Fred Schaufele
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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