Somatostatin analog RC-160 and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist RC-3095 inhibit the growth of androgen-independent DU-145 human prostate cancer line in nude mice

Role of Octreotide in Menetrier’s Disease: Case Report and Review of Literature

Menetrier’s disease (MD) is a rare disease characterized macroscopically by gastric rugae thickening and microscopically by foveolar hyperplasia with glandular atrophy, resulting in luminal protein loss. Different treatment strategies, including antibiotics, prednisone, octreotide, and monoclonal antibodies, have yielded varying degrees of success. Here, we present a rare complication of MD with a gastric outlet obstruction from a large adenoma. However, prior to this complication, dramatic clinical and laboratory improvements were observed after 12 months of treatment with subcutaneous octreotide. We also present a review of the literature for the role of octreotide in the treatment of MD.

Natural history of adult-onset Ménétrier's disease: Report of a case with 9-year follow-up

Ménétrier's disease (MD) is a rare disease characterized by markedly hypertrophied gastric mucosal folds typically associated with hypoalbuminemia and anemia. However, the natural history of MD in adults remains unclear and is rarely reported in the literature. The current study presents a case of MD with a 9-year follow-up. A 56-year-old man was diagnosed with MD in 2005. The patient was followed up and underwent surveillance endoscopy once or twice each year. In the present case, the anemia and hypoproteinemia were eliminated following red blood cell transfusion and intravenous iron therapies. The symptoms were relieved after 4 years. Treatment with octreotide had little effect on the gastric mucosa, while antimicrobial combination therapy provided no benefit in the present H. pylori-negative case of MD. In addition, despite abnormalities of the gastric mucosa in the patient persisting after 9 years of follow-up with no evidence of malignancy, malignant transformation in MD should not be overlooked, and regular monitoring of the gastric mucosa via endoscopy is necessary.

Risk modification of colorectal cancer susceptibility by interleukin-8 -251T>A polymorphism in Malaysians

AIM: To investigate the allele and genotype frequencies and associated risk of interleukin (IL)-8 -251T>A polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility risk.

METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 255 normal controls and 255 clinically and histopathologically confirmed CRC patients were genotyped for IL-8 -251T>A polymorphism employing allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The relative association of variant allele and genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk was determined by calculating the odds ratios (ORs). Corresponding χ² tests on the CRC patients and controls were carried out and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using Fisher’s exact test. The allele frequencies and its risk association were calculated using FAMHAP, haplotype association analysis software.

RESULTS: On comparing the frequencies of genotypes of patients and controls, the homozygous variant AA was significantly higher in CRC patients (P = 0.002) compared to controls. Investigation on the association of the polymorphic genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk, showed that the homozygous variant IL-8 -251AA had a significantly increased risk with OR 3.600 (95% CI: 1.550-8.481, P = 0.001). In the case of allele frequencies, variant allele A of IL-8 -251 showed a significantly increased risk of CRC predisposition with OR 1.32 (95% CI: 1.03-1.69, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: Variant allele and genotype of IL-8 (-251T>A) was significantly associated with CRC susceptibility risk and could be considered as a high-risk variant for CRC predisposition.

A pediatric non-protein losing Menetrier's disease successfully treated with octreotide long acting release

Pediatric Menetrier’s disease (MD) is an uncommon, acute, self-limited hypertrophic gastropathy characterized by enlarged gastric folds associated with epithelial hyperplasia and usually accompanied by protein losing gastropathy. Gastric cytomegalovirus infection is found in one third of MD children and its treatment is often associated with remission. Diagnosis often requires full-thickness biopsy due to inability to detect typical histological findings with conventional endoscopic biopsy. We report an uncommon case of non self-limited pediatric MD needing endoscopic mucosal resection for diagnosis which was then successfully treated with octreotide long-acting release (LAR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pediatric MD case successfully treated with octreotide LAR. Our experience suggests octreotide LAR as treatment for refractory MD before gastrectomy.

Regulation of bombesin-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 expression in prostate cancer cells

Background

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the bombesin (BBS)-like peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), have been implicated in the progression of hormone-refractory prostate cancer; however, a mechanistic link between the bioactive peptide and COX-2 expression in prostate cells has not been made.

Results

We report that BBS stimulates COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, and the release of prostaglandin E₂ from the GRP receptor (GRPR)-positive, androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell line, PC-3. BBS-stimulated COX-2 expression is mediated, in part, by p38^MAPK and PI3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways, and blocked by a GRPR antagonist. The PI3K/Akt pathway couples GRPR to the transcription factor, activator protein-1 (AP-1), and enhanced COX-2 promoter activity. Although BBS stimulates nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) in PC-3, NF-κB does not regulate GRPR-mediated COX-2 expression. The p38^MAPK pathway increases BBS-stimulated COX-2 expression by slowing the degradation of COX-2 mRNA. Expression of recombinant GRPR in the androgen-sensitive cell line LNCaP is sufficient to confer BBS-stimulated COX-2 expression via the p38^MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways.

Conclusions

Our study establishes a mechanistic link between GRPR activation and enhanced COX-2 expression in prostate cancer cell lines, and suggests that inhibiting GRPR may, in the future, provide an effective therapeutic alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for inhibiting COX-2 in patients with recurrent prostate cancer.

Dose-dependent growth inhibition in vivo of PC-3 prostate cancer with a reduction in tumoral growth factors after therapy with GHRH antagonist MZ-J-7-138

BACKGROUND

Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) inhibit the growth of various cancers and affect tumoral growth factors.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of a new GHRH antagonist MZ-J-7-138 at doses of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 microg/day s.c. on the growth of PC-3 human androgen independent prostate cancers xenografted s.c. into nude mice. Binding assays were used to investigate GHRH receptors. The levels of IGF-II and VEGF in tumors were measured by radioimmunoassays.

RESULTS

Treatment with 2.5, 5, and 10 microg/day MZ-J-7-138 caused a significant dose-dependent growth reduction of PC-3 tumors. The greatest inhibition of 78% was obtained with 10 microg/day. The suppression of IGF-II protein levels in tumors was seen at all doses of MZ-J-7-138, but only 10 microg dose induced a significant inhibition. MZ-J-7-138 also reduced VEGF protein levels, the inhibition being significant at doses of 5 and 10 microg. Specific high affinity binding sites for GHRH were found on PC-3 tumors using (125)I-labeled GHRH antagonist JV-1-42. MZ-J-7-138 displaced radiolabeled JV-1-42 with an IC(50) of 0.32 nM indicating its high affinity to GHRH receptors. Real-time PCR analyses detected splice variant 1 (SV1) of GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) as well as pituitary type of GHRH-R and GHRH ligand.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the efficacy of GHRH antagonist MZ-J-7-138 in suppressing growth of PC-3 prostate cancer at doses lower than previous antagonists. The reduction of levels of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF-II in tumors by GHRH antagonist was correlated with the suppression of tumor growth.

New treatment approaches for prostate cancer based on peptide analogues

OBJECTIVES

New therapy modalities for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer based on peptide analogues are reviewed.

RESULTS

Agonists and antagonists of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) lead to androgen deprivation, but direct effects on tumours may also play a role. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogues can be targeted to tumours expressing receptors for somatostatin and have been successfully applied for the localization of these tumours. Tumoural LHRH, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) and their receptors appear to be involved in the proliferation of prostate cancer. On the basis of the recent advances in the understanding of the role of neuropeptides in tumour growth and progression, new therapeutic modalities are being developed that are based on antagonists of GHRH and of BN/GRP, which inhibit growth factors or their receptors. Another promising approach for the therapy of prostate cancer consists of the use of cytotoxic analogues of LHRH, bombesin, and somatostatin, which can be targeted to receptors for these peptides in prostate cancers and their metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

New promising forms of hormone therapy and targeted chemotherapy may improve therapy of advanced stage prostate cancer.

Octreotide scintigraphy and Chromogranin A do not predict clinical response in patients with octreotide acetate-treated hormone-refractory prostate cancer

In this pilot study, the predictive value of Octreotide scintigraphy (Octreoscan) and/or Chromogranin-A (CgA) was investigated in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer treated with Octreotide acetate. In total, 20 patients with progressive disease and bone metastases entered the trial. At baseline Octreoscan, CgA, PSA, alkaline phosphates (ALP) and two self-administered questionnaires (EORTC QLQ C-30 (v3) and brief pain index) were performed and a diary of the pharmaceutical was started. The treatment consisted of Octreotide (Sandostatin LAR) acetate 30 mg intramuscular injection every month. The blood samples and questionnaires were repeated every month until 3 months. Clinical responder was defined as a patient with increased global health score more than 10 units and stable or decreased pain score without an increase in analgesic. In all, 17 patients were treated per protocol, and four were assessed as clinical responders. Six patients developed a reduction in ALP (median -26%, range -5 to -78%). All patients increased in PSA. At baseline, three patients had a negative Octreoscan and the patients with positive lesions, demonstrated uptake of low intensity. At baseline the CgA was elevated above the normal range in 15 of the patients, and during treatment five patients decreased their CgA to the normal range. Neither baseline Octreoscan nor CgA could identify the clinical reponders. A minority of patients improves their health-related quality of life. The decrease and normalization of CgA levels in five patients during therapy indicates therapeutic activity but Octreoscan and CgA could not identify clinical responders.

Antagonists of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and of bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide (BN/GRP) suppress the expression of VEGF, bFGF, and receptors of the EGF/HER family in PC-3 and DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate cancers

BACKGROUND

Antagonists of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) as well as antagonists of bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide (BN/GRP) inhibit the growth of various malignancies (cancers) including prostate cancer.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of GHRH antagonists MZ-J-7-118 and RC-J-29-18, BN/GRP antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3940-Et and the combination of MZ-J-7-118 and RC-3940-II on the growth of PC-3 and DU-145 human androgen independent prostate cancers xenografted s.c. into nude mice. To elucidate the mechanisms of action of these analogs, growth factors like IGF-II (insulin-like growth factor-II), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and epidermal growth factor receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R/HER) family were measured in tumors as well as IGF-I in serum.

RESULTS

Antagonists of GHRH and BN/GRP alone or in combination significantly inhibited growth of PC-3 and DU-145 tumors, the greatest inhibition of tumor volume being achieved by combination of MZ-J-7-118 (5 microg/day) and RC-3940-II (10 microg/day). BN/GRP and GHRH antagonists and their combination also decreased the expression of VEGF significantly in PC-3 and non-significantly in DU-145, as measured by radioimmunoassay for VEGF protein and RT-PCR for mRNA levels of VEGF. GHRH and BN/GRP antagonists reduced bFGF concentrations and the maximal binding capacity of EGF receptors, and their mRNA levels in PC-3 and DU-145 tumors. mRNA levels for HER-2 and -3 were also diminished in PC-3 tumors by GHRH and BN/GRP antagonists. No changes in HER-4 were found after treatment. Serum IGF-I and tumoral IGF-II levels were not affected by the analogs.

CONCLUSIONS

BN/GRP and GHRH antagonists inhibit growth of PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancers by suppressing the expression of tumoral growth factors such as VEGF and bFGF as well as the receptors for EGF and related HER-2 and -3. Additive effects on tumor inhibition (TI) in vivo, but not on VEGF, bFGF, or members of the EGF/HER receptor family, can be achieved by the joint administration of both classes of analogs.

Changes in chromogranin a serum levels during endocrine therapy in metastatic prostate cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

The concept of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in prostate cancer has become more widely recognized as its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic usefulness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 38 patients with stage D prostate cancer who underwent endocrine therapy by medical or surgical castration and oral antiandrogen. According to PSA response, serum levels of CGA as a marker of NE differentiation were measured at the multiple points of time; (1) pre-treatment, (2) complete response (CR), (3) a nadir level of PSA, (4) PSA failure or hormone independent progression. We compared these serum values in relation to efficacy of endocrine therapy.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between serum PSA and CGA values. Patients consisted of 27 with CR and 11 without CR. Serum CGA increased as intervals of endocrine therapy became longer with positive correlation (p < 0.05). Its velocity was higher in patients with PSA failure than in those without it (6.98 vs. 2.09 ng/ml/month, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

During endocrine therapy in metastatic prostate cancer patients, serum CGA values were not related to serum PSA levels, and increased as treatment periods became longer. It is suggested that CGA velocity has potential to predict androgen independent progression after endocrine therapy.

Bispecific antibodies for the treatment of tumours and infectious diseases

Bispecific antibodies are in clinical and preclinical development for the treatment of various cancers and life-threatening infectious diseases. Designed to direct and enhance the body's immune response to specific tumours and pathogens, bispecific antibodies have shown promising results in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, leading in some cases to complete or partial responses in cancer patients. These bispecific antibodies consist of a 'targeting' domain, typically a fragment of a monoclonal antibody that binds to a tumour, linked to a 'triggering' arm that is specific for a molecule capable of mediating a phagocytic or lytic response by macrophages, natural killer cells, T-cells or other effector cells. By mediating an immune assault on tumours or pathogens, bispecific antibodies may also lead to antigen presentation and a vaccine-like response in patients. Over the next few years, we expect several bispecific antibodies to enter the late stages of clinical trials and ultimately emerge as new pharmaceutical products.

Targeting multiple signaling pathways as a strategy for managing prostate cancer: multifocal signal modulation therapy

The aberrant behavior of cancer reflects upregulation of certain oncogenic signaling pathways that promote proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and enable the cancer to spread and evoke angiogenesis. Theoretically, it should be feasible to decrease the activity of these pathways-or increase the activity of pathways that oppose them-with noncytotoxic agents. Since multiple pathways are dysfunctional in most cancers, and cancers accumulate new oncogenic mutations as they progress, the greatest and most durable therapeutic benefit will likely be achieved with combination regimens that address several targets. Thus, a multifocal signal modulation therapy (MSMT) of cancer is proposed. This concept has already been documented by researchers who have shown that certain combinations of signal modulators-of limited utility when administered individually-can achieve dramatic suppression of tumor growth in rodent xenograft models. The present essay attempts to guide development of MSMTs for prostate cancer. Androgen ablation is a signal-modulating measure already in standard use in the management of delocalized prostate cancer. The additional molecular targets considered here include the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor, mammalian target of rapamycin, NF-kappaB, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, hsp90, cyclooxygenase-2, protein kinase A type I, vascular endothelial growth factor, 5-lipoxygenase, 12-lipoxygenase, angiotensin II receptor type 1, bradykinin receptor type 1, c-Src, interleukin-6, ras, MDM2, bcl-2/bclxL, vitamin D receptor, estrogen receptor-beta, and PPAR-. Various nutrients and phytochemicals suspected to have potential utility in prostate cancer prevention and therapy, but whose key molecular targets are still unknown, might reasonably be incorporated into MSMTs for prostate cancer; these include lycopene, selenium, green tea polyphenols, genistein, and silibinin. MSMTs can be developed systematically by testing various combinations of signal-modulating agents, in concentrations that can feasibly be achieved and maintained clinically, on human prostate cancer cell lines; combinations that appear promising can then be tested in xenograft models and, ultimately, in the clinic. Some signal modulators can increase response to cytotoxic drugs by upregulating effectors of apoptosis. When MSMTs fail to raise the spontaneous apoptosis rate sufficiently to achieve tumor stasis or regression, incorporation of appropriate cytotoxic agents into the regimen may improve the clinical outcome.

GRP receptor-mediated immediate early gene expression and transcription factor Elk-1 activation in prostate cancer cells

Bombesin (BN) and its mammalian homologue gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) have been shown to play an important role in human cancer as autocrine and paracrine growth factors. Prostatic neuroendocrine cells are thought to secrete these regulatory peptides and they may therefore interact with their specific, aberrantly expressed GRP receptor (GRP-R) in prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of BN on immediate early gene expression in two androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and PC-3 with functional GRP receptor. We found that BN induced c-fos mRNA expression in both cell lines in a time-dependent manner. In contrast, c-jun mRNA was only modestly induced in DU-145 cells but not at all in PC-3 cells. On the protein level, we detected BN-induced stimulation of the c-fos gene product but not of c-jun protein. Sustained increase of the c-myc gene product was detectable in PC-3 but not in DU-145 cells. Concurrently, we demonstrated BN-dependent activation of the transcription factor Elk-1 and significant increase of cell proliferation in both prostate cancer cell lines. Taken together, these data suggest that BN acts as a mitogen in prostate cancer and this might be associated with the activation of the transcription factor Elk-1 and the immediate early gene c-fos.

Neuropeptides bombesin and calcitonin inhibit apoptosis-related elemental changes in prostate carcinoma cell lines

BACKGROUND

Etoposide-induced apoptosis in prostate carcinoma cells is associated with changes in the elemental content of the cells. The authors previously reported that calcitonin and bombesin inhibited etoposide-induced apoptosis in these cells. In the current study, the authors investigated whether these neuropeptides block the etoposide-induced changes in elemental content.

METHODS

Cells from the PC-3 and Du 145 prostate carcinoma cell lines were grown either on solid substrates or on thin plastic films on titanium electron microscopy grids, and they were exposed to etoposide for 48 hours in the absence or presence of calcitonin and bombesin. After the exposure, the cells were frozen and freeze dried, and their elemental content was analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis in both in the scanning electron microscope and the scanning transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS

Etoposide treatment consistently induced an increase in the cellular Na concentration and a decrease in the cellular K concentration, resulting in a marked increase of the Na/K ratio and also an increase in the phosphorus:sulphur (P/S) ratio. Both bombesin and calcitonin inhibited the etoposide-induced changes in the cellular Na/K ratio, and calcitonin, but not bombesin, inhibited the changes in the P/S ratio. No significant elemental changes were found with bombesin or calcitonin alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The neuropeptides bombesin and calcitonin, which inhibited etoposide-induced apoptosis, also inhibited the etoposide-induced elemental changes in prostate carcinoma cells. This important fact strengthens the link between apoptosis and changes in the intracellular elemental content. This correlation provides an objective basis for the study of neuropeptide target points and may be helpful for alternative therapeutic protocols using neuropeptide inhibitors in the treatment of patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma.

Is there a role for agonist gastrin-releasing peptide receptor radioligands in tumour imaging?

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has been shown to be a tumour growth stimulating agent for a number of normal and human cancer cell lines. The tumour growth effect is a direct result of GRP binding to membrane G-protein coupled GRP receptors (GRP-R) on the cell surface. Available data on the role of GRP and GRP-R in human lung, prostate, breast, colorectal and gastric carcinoma are reviewed and it is suggested that radiolabelled agonists are preferable to antagonists for imaging and therapy as they appear to be internalised, yielding a higher target/background ratio. The use of rhenium or indium radiolabels for therapy may provide a new approach to GRP/bombesin expressing tumours.

Peptide analogs in the therapy of prostate cancer

The use of peptide analogs in the therapy of prostate cancer is reviewed. The preferred primary treatment of advanced androgen-dependent prostate cancer is presently based on the use of depot preparations of LH-RH agonists. This treatment is likewise recommended in patients with rising PSA levels after surgery or radiotherapy. LH-RH agonists with or without antiandrogens can be also utilized prior to or following various local treatments in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and at high risk for disease recurrence. LH-RH antagonists like Cetrorelix are in clinical trials. However, most patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma treated by any modality of androgen deprivation eventually relapse. Treatment of relapsed androgen-independent prostate cancer remains a major challenge, but new therapeutic modalities are being developed based on antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) and bombesin, which inhibit growth factors or their receptors. Another approach consists of cytotoxic analogs of LH-RH, bombesin, and somatostatin containing doxorubicin or 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin, which can be targeted to receptors for these peptides found in prostate cancers and their metastases. These cytotoxic analogs inhibit growth of experimental androgen-dependent or -independent prostate cancers and reduce the incidence of metastases. A rational therapy with peptide analogs could be selected on the basis of receptors present in biopsy samples. The approaches based on peptide analogs should result in a more effective treatment for prostate cancer.

High expression of somatostatin receptors and messenger ribonucleic acid for its receptor subtypes in organ-confined and locally advanced human prostate cancers

To evaluate the potential application of somatostatin (SST) analogs as an adjuvant treatment for prostate cancer, we characterized the binding sites for SST octapeptide analogs on prostate cancers in patients treated with radical prostatectomy. The affinity and density of binding sites for SST analog RC-160 on 80 surgical specimens of prostate cancers were determined by ligand competition assays. The expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for SST receptor subtype 1 (SSTR1), subtype 2 (SSTR2), and subtype 5 (SSTR5) was also investigated in 22 samples by RT-PCR. Fifty-two of 80 specimens (65%), showed a single class of specific binding sites for RC-160 with a mean dissociation constant (K(d)) of 9.44 nmol/L and a mean maximal binding capacity of 754.8 fmol/mg membrane protein. The mRNA for SSTR1 was detected in 86% of samples, whereas the incidences of mRNA for SSTR2 and SSTR5 were 14% and 64%, respectively. The expression of SSTR2 and/or SSTR5 was 100%, consistent with the presence of RC-160 binding. In patients at high risk of cancer recurrence (stage pT3 and/or Gleason score of 8-10), the incidence of RC-160 binding (65.7%) was similar to that observed in the low risk group (64.3%). The demonstration of the high incidence of octapeptide-preferring SSTRs in organ-confined and locally advanced prostate cancers supports the merit of further investigations of the application of SST analogs and their radionuclide and cytotoxic derivatives for adjuvant treatment of patients at high risk of cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Such approaches could be also considered for patients with advanced prostate cancer at the time of relapse.

The effects of insulin-like growth factors on tumorigenesis and neoplastic growth

Several decades of basic and clinical research have demonstrated that there is an association between the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and neoplasia. We begin with a brief discussion of the function and regulation of expression of the IGFs, their receptors and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). A number of investigational interventional strategies targeting the GH or IGFs are then reviewed. Finally, we have assembled the available scientific knowledge about this relationship for each of the major tumor types. The tumors have been grouped together by organ system and for each of the major tumors, various key elements of the relationship between IGFs and tumor growth are discussed. Specifically these include the presence or absence of autocrine IGF-I and IGF-II production; presence or absence of IGF-I and IGF-II receptor expression; the expression and functions of the IGFBPs; in vitro and in vivo experiments involving therapeutic interventions; and available results from clinical trials evaluating the effect of GH/IGF axis down-regulation in various malignancies.

Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Information is presented on prostatic neuroendocrine cells and neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinoma. The prognostic and therapeutic implications of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinoma are reviewed.

METHODS

Data are presented that support the intriguing link between neuroendocrine differentiation, tumor progression, and androgen-independent prostate cancer. The hormones, and the receptors, expressed by prostatic neuroendocrine cells are investigated in order to elucidate their significance for prognosis and therapy.

RESULTS

The prognostic significance of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic malignancy has been controversial, but recent studies employing markers such as chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase suggest that neuroendocrine differentiation, as reflected by increased tissue expression and/or blood levels of these neuroendocrine secretory products, correlates with poor prognosis, tumor progression, and androgen-independence. Since all malignant neuroendocrine cells are devoid of androgen receptors and since neuroendocrine phenotypic expression is not suppressed by androgen ablation, clonal propagation of androgen receptor-negative neuroendocrine cells may play an important role in the pathway towards the androgen-independent state of prostatic carcinoma. This would have significant implications for the treatment of prostate cancer, as several of the hormones known to be expressed by neuroendocrine-differentiated, malignant prostatic cells are potential candidates for drug therapy. A limited number of hormones have been tested in this context, in particular somatostatin, bombesin, and serotonin.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendocrine differentiation in carcinoma of the prostate appears to be associated with poor prognosis, tumor progression, and the androgen-independent state, for which there is currently no successful therapy. Therefore, new therapeutic protocols and trials need to be developed to test drugs based on neuroendocrine hormones and/or their antagonists. An evaluation of this new therapeutic approach against prostatic carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, including hormone-refractory cancer, is easily justified, since these tumors are unresponsive to current modes of therapy.

Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II inhibit tumor growth and decrease the levels and mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in H-69 small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) have been developed to block the autocrine stimulatory effect of BN/GRP on tumors such as small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Although several studies have addressed the intracellular events that follow the formation of the receptor-ligand complex, the mechanism of action of BN/GRP antagonists remains unclear.

METHODS

In this study the authors investigated the effect of synthetic BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II on tumor growth and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) in H-69 SCLC. Athymic nude mice xenografted with H-69 SCLC were treated subcutaneously for 5 weeks with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II at the dose of 10 microg/animal/day.

RESULTS

RC-3095 decreased tumor volume by approximately 50% (P < 0.05) and RC-3940-II by 70-60% (P < 0.01). Tumor burden also was significantly decreased in the groups treated with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II. Receptor analyses demonstrated high affinity binding sites for BN/GRP and EGF on the untreated H-69 SCLC tumors. After treatment with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II, the concentration of receptors for BN/GRP was decreased by 29.0% and 36.5%, respectively (both, P < 0.01) compared with controls, and EGF-R levels were reduced by 62.3% and 63.0%, respectively (both, P < 0.01). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses revealed that the levels of mRNA for EGF-R in tumors were lowered by 31% (P < 0.05) and 43% (P < 0.01), respectively, after treatment with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the inhibition of growth of H-69 SCLC by BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II is accompanied by a marked decrease in the levels and mRNA expression of EGF-R.

Inhibition of the growth of Caki-I human renal adenocarcinoma in vivo by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix, somatostatin analog RC-160, and bombesin antagonist RC-3940-II

BACKGROUND

Metastatic or recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a therapeutic challenge because it is resistant to chemotherapy and external radiotherapy. No uniformly effective therapeutic agents are available for the management of patients with RCC. Hormones and growth factors may play a role in promoting the transformation and/or proliferation of kidney neoplasms.

METHODS

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist Cetrorelix (SB-75), somatostatin analog RC-160, and bombesin antagonist RC-3940-II were tested for their effects on the growth of the Caki-I renal adenocarcinoma cell line xenografted into nude mice.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment, tumor volume was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in animals receiving RC-160, to 167.5 +/- 34.2 mm3, compared with the control group (485.7 +/- 77.2 mm3). LH-RH antagonist SB-75 and bombesin antagonist RC-3940-II also significantly reduced the volume of Caki-I tumors, to 159.9 +/- 18.1 and 234.7 +/- 81.8 mm3, respectively. Somatostatin analog RC-160 decreased serum levels for growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I compared with controls. Treatment with RC-160, Cetrorelix, and RC-3940-II significantly reduced the number of high-affinity receptors for epidermal growth factor on Caki-I tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix, somatostatin analog RC-160, and bombesin antagonist RC-3940-II effectively inhibit the growth of human Caki-I renal adenocarcinomas in nude mice. These peptide analogs should be considered for the therapy of patients with metastatic or recurrent RCC.

Neutral endopeptidase 24.11 loss in metastatic human prostate cancer contributes to androgen-independent progression

Neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) is a cell-surface enzyme expressed by prostatic epithelial cells that cleaves and inactivates neuropeptides implicated in the growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer (PC). We report that NEP expression and catalytic activity are lost in vitro in androgen-independent but not androgen-dependent PC cell lines. In vivo, NEP protein expression is commonly decreased in cancer cells of metastatic PC specimens from patients with androgen-independent but not androgen-dependent PC. Overexpression of NEP in androgen-independent PC cells or incubation with recombinant NEP inhibits PC cell growth. Furthermore, in androgen-dependent PC cells, expression of NEP is transcriptionally regulated by androgen and decreases with androgen withdrawal. These data suggest that decreased NEP expression, common in androgen-independent PCs, is facilitated by the elimination of androgens, and that NEP loss plays an important role in the development of androgen-independent PC by allowing PC cells to use mitogenic neuropeptides as an alternate source to androgen in order to stimulate cell proliferation.

Inhibition of growth of androgen-independent DU-145 prostate cancer in vivo by luteinising hormone-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix and bombesin antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3950-II

The aim of this study was to test the antagonist of LH-RH (Cetrorelix), agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH (triptorelin) and new bombesin antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3950-II for their effect on the growth of an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line, DU-145, xenografted into nude mice. Xenografts were grown in male nude mice, and after 4 weeks, the animals were treated either with saline (control) or with one of the analogues. One group of mice was given a combination of Cetrorelix and RC-3950-II. Treatment was given for 4 weeks. Tumour and body weights, and tumour volumes were measured. At sacrifice, tumours were dissected for histological examination and receptor studies. Serum was collected for measurement of hormone levels. The final tumour volume in control animals injected with saline was 577 +/- 155 mm3 and that of animals treated with Cetrorelix only 121.4 +/- 45 mm3 (P < 0.01). Bombesin antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3950-II also significantly reduced DU-145 tumour volume in nude mice to 84.9 +/- 19.9 and 96.8 +/- 28 mm3, respectively. Agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH did not significantly inhibit tumour growth. Serum levels of LH were decreased to 0.08 +/- 0.02 ng/ml (P < 0.05) in the Cetrorelix treated group as compared to 1.02 +/- 0.1 ng/ml for the controls, and testosterone levels were reduced to castration levels (0.01 +/- 0.01 ng/ml). Specific receptors for EGF and LH-RH in DU-145 tumours were significantly downregulated after treatment with Cetrorelix, RC-3940-II and RC-3950-II. Although LH-RH could be a local regulator of growth of prostate cancer, the fall in LH-RH receptors is not fully understood and the inhibitory effects of Cetrorelix and bombesin antagonists on DU-145 tumour growth might be attributed at least in part to a downregulation of EHF receptors. Since Cetrorelix and bombesin antagonists inhibit growth of androgen-independent DU-145 prostate cancers, these compounds could be considered for the therapy of advanced prostate cancer in men, especially after relapse.

Calcium signaling in prostate cancer cells: evidence for multiple receptors and enhanced sensitivity to bombesin/GRP

BACKGROUND

Cellular calcium is an important second messenger for growth regulation. We sought to identify potentially important receptors on prostate tumor cells by screening over 20 agonists for their ability to increase intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in several human prostate tumor cell lines.

METHODS

Intracellular calcium mobilization was detected using fura-2.

RESULTS

We found bombesin, GRP, ATP/UTP, lysophosphatidic acid, thrombin, endothelin, histamine, and bradykinin increased [Ca2+]i in the advanced tumor cell lines DU-145, PC3, and PPC-1. Bombesin failed to elevate [Ca2+]i in an immortalized human prostate cell line. Rank-order of potency studies suggested the presence of P2U nucleotide receptors for ATP/UTP on prostate epithelial cells. Potency studies also revealed GRP > > bombesin > > neuromedin B at elevating [Ca2+]i in responding tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that androgen independent prostate tumor cell lines express multiple receptors capable of elevating intracellular calcium, and suggest that GRP receptors may be selectively expressed and/or coupled to calcium signaling during prostate tumor progression. Calcium sensitive cellular events may therefore contribute to the progression of prostate cancer.

Reduction in receptors for bombesin and epidermal growth factor in xenografts of human small-cell lung cancer after treatment with bombesin antagonist RC-3095

Antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) have been developed to inhibit the stimulatory effects of BN/GRP on the mitogenesis of tumor cells such as human small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The mode of action of these antagonists is not completely understood. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BN/GRP antagonist RC-3095 on receptors for BN/GRP and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in H-128 human SCLC line xenografted into nude mice. Treatment with RC-3095, administered s.c. at a dose of 20 microg/day per animal for 4 weeks caused a 70% reduction in tumor volume and weight. Membrane receptors for BN/GRP and EGF were characterized in untreated and treated animals. In the control group, [125I-Tyr4]BN was bound to a single class of specific, high affinity binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) = 6.55 +/- 0.93 nM and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) = 512.8 +/- 34.8 fmol/mg membrane protein. Therapy with RC-3095 decreased the concentration of BN/GRP receptors on H-128 SCLC tumor membranes. Specific, high affinity binding sites for EGF with Kd = 1.78 +/- 0.26 nM and Bmax = 216.8 +/- 19.6 fmol/mg membrane protein were also found on the untreated H-128 SCLC tumors. Treatment with RC-3095 significantly decreased Bmax of receptors for EGF. Our results indicate that the suppression of growth of H-128 SCLC by BN antagonist RC-3095 is accompanied by a decrease in the number of receptors for both BN/GRP and EGF. These observations are in agreement with the results obtained in other experimental cancers. The findings on antagonist RC-3095 reinforce the view that both BN/GRP and EGF receptors participate in a cascade of events involved in the growth of SCLC and other cancers. Although the complete mechanisms of action of antagonist RC-3095 remain to be elucidated, the antitumor effect could be the result of the fall in the EGF receptor number, which might lead to a decrease in EGF receptor autophosphorylation.

Design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of cytotoxic analogs of bombesin-like peptides containing doxorubicin or its intensely potent derivative, 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin

Five peptide fragments, based on the C-terminal sequence of bombesin (BN)-(6-14) or BN-(7-14), were selected as carriers for radicals doxorubicin (DOX) and 2-pyrrolino-DOX to create hybrid cytotoxic analogs. All these compounds had a reduced peptide bond (CH2-NH or CH2-N) between positions 13 (Phe or Leu) and 14 (Phe, Leu, or Tac) (Tac = thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid). Three pseudononapeptide carriers contained N-terminal D-Phe or D-Tpi at position 6 (Tpi = 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid). Two pseudooctapeptides had Gln7 at the N terminus. The conjugation of N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl) doxorubicin (N-Fmoc-DOX)-14-O-hemiglutarate to the peptide carriers at the N terminus resulted in cytotoxic hybrids of BN-like peptides containing DOX. These hybrids could then be converted to analogs with 2-pyrrolino-DOX by a reaction with 4-iodobutyraldehyde. The ability of the carriers and the conjugates to inhibit the binding of 125I-labeled [Tyr4]BN to receptors for BN/gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) on Swiss 3T3 cells was determined. Cytotoxic conjugates of pseudooctapeptide carrier analogs displayed the highest binding affinity (KD approximately 1 nM). The cytotoxic BN analogs and their corresponding cytotoxic radicals exerted similar inhibitory effects on the in vitro growth of CFPAC-1 human pancreatic cancer, DMS-53 human lung cancer, PC-3 human prostate cancer, and MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell lines that have receptors for BN/GRP. In DMS-53 cells, the activity of 2-pyrrolino-DOX and its conjugates was approximately 2500 times higher than that of DOX and its hybrids. These highly potent cytotoxic analogs of BN have been designed as targeted anti-tumor agents for the treatment of various cancers that possess receptors for BN/GRP.

Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in prostate cancer

Vapreotide (RC-160), a somatostatin analog, was labeled with 99mTC by a direct method and also by using CPTA [1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane] as a bifunctional chelating agent. The labeled compounds were evaluated in nude mice bearing experimental human prostate cancers. In these studies, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-Octreotide (111In-DTPA-octreotide) served as a standard and 99mTc-oxytocin as a receptor-non-specific control. 99mTc-octreotide was also used. The 24 htumor uptake of 99mTc-RC-160 was nearly 400% higher, (p < 0.05), than that of 111In-DTPA-octreotide and diminished upon receptor blocking. In all tissues except the kidneys, the uptake of 99mTc-RC-160 was also higher than that of 111In-DTPA-octreotide. The uptake of 99mTc-RC-160 was influenced by the amount of peptide injected and the best tumor/muscle and tumor/blood ratios were obtained when only one micrograms of the peptide (200 Ci/mmol) was administered.

Androgen-repressed phenotype in human prostate cancer

An androgen-repressed human prostate cancer cell line, ARCaP, was established and characterized. This cell line was derived from the ascites fluid of a patient with advanced metastatic disease. In contrast to the behavior of androgen-dependent LNCaP and its androgen-independent C4-2 subline, androgen and estrogen suppress the growth of ARCaP cells in a dose-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. ARCaP is tumorigenic and highly metastatic. It metastasizes to the lymph node, lung, pancreas, liver, kidney, and bone, and forms ascites fluid in athymic hosts. ARCaP cells express low levels of androgen receptor mRNA and prostate-specific antigen mRNA and protein. Immunohistochemical staining shows that ARCaP cells stain intensely for epidermal growth factor receptor, c-erb B2/neu, and c-erb B3. Staining is negative for chromogranin A and positive for bombesin, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase, and the c-met protooncogene (a hepatic growth factor/scatter factor receptor). ARCaP cells also secrete high levels of gelatinase A and B and some stromelysin, which suggests that this cell line may contain markers representing invasive adenocarcinoma with selective neuronendocrine phenotypes. Along with its repression of growth, androgen is also found to repress the expression of prostate-specific antigen in ARCaP cells as detected by a prostate-specific antigen promoter-beta-galactosidase reporter assay. Our results suggest that the androgen-repressed state may be central to prostate cancer progression and that advanced prostate cancer can progress from an androgen-independent to an androgen-repressed state.

Two cases of small cell carcinoma of the prostate

We describe the clinical and pathological findings in two Japanese men with small cell carcinoma of the prostate; case 1 was 58 years old and case 2 was 24 years old. Case 1 was initially diagnosed as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate, stage D2, with marked elevation of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and CA 19-9 levels. The patient had undergone castration and systemic chemotherapy. After three courses of chemotherapy, tumour markers were normalized. However, 6 months later serum levels of tumour markers again rose, and biopsy of the prostate revealed a small cell carcinoma component in the adenocarcinoma of the prostate and benign prostate hypertrophy. The patient was again treated with systemic chemotherapy but died within 1 year after relapse. In case 2, the patient presented with initial symptoms of lumbago and dysuria, and an enlarged prostate was radiologically diagnosed. Shortly after admission he developed ileus, and an exploratory laparotomy revealed a large tumour arising from the prostate and invading the peritoneal cavity. This tumour was pathologically diagnosed as a small cell carcinoma. The patient died shortly thereafter without responding to chemotherapy. Immunohistological evaluation was done using a panel of antibodies against NSE, chromogranin A, CEA, CA 19-9, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), calcitonin, serotonin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and glucagon. CEA was intensely positive in the tumour lesions from case 1, and NSE and ACTH were focally positive, and calcitonin, serotonin, CA 19-9, and PSA were weakly positive only in several cells in the tumour lesions from case 1. In the tumour lesion from case 2, NSE was intensely positive, and chromogranin A was weakly positive. These findings support the neuroendocrine nature of this neoplasm.

Experimental radiotherapy of receptor-positive human prostate adenocarcinoma with 188Re-RC-160, a directly-radiolabeled somatostatin analogue

The therapeutic potential of the somatostatin analogue RC-160 radiolabeled with 188Re was evaluated in nude mice bearing xenografts of human prostate adenocarcinoma. 188Re-RC-160 was selectively retained in both DU-145 and PC-3 tumors following direct intra-tumor injection at all time points examined (2, 6 and 24 hr post-injection). Unbound 188Re-RC-160 was rapidly excreted via the hepatobiliary system and, with the exception of the gastrointestinal tract, very little normal organ uptake was found at any time point examined. Negative control compounds, 188Re-perrhenate and 188Re-mercaptoacetyl-triglycine (188Re-MAG3), were essentially washed out of the tumor by 6 hr post-injection and were rapidly excreted through the kidneys. 131I-RC-160, used as reference compound, had a biodistribution in tumor-bearing animals similar to that of 188Re-RC-160. In PC-3 xenografts, 188Re-RC-160 gave a dose-dependent therapeutic response (stasis or regression) even in animals with relatively large tumor masses (greater than 600 mm3), whereas the macro-aggregated form of 188Re-RC-160 did not. Long-term studies with 188Re-RC-160 demonstrated a protracted reduction of tumor volume and a positive effect on animal survival. Neither RC-160 by itself nor a 188Re-labeled peptide, unrelated to somatostatin (PA-22-2, a laminin peptide), demonstrated the reduction in tumor mass observed with 188Re-RC-160. 188Re-RC-160 shows potential as a new clinical agent for treatment of somatostatin-receptor-positive cancers.

Somatostatin receptors in prostate tissues and derived cell cultures, and the in vitro growth inhibitory effect of BIM-23014 analog

We investigated somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in surgical specimens of prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a normal immortalized epithelial cell line (PNT1), epithelial cancer cell lines, and stromal cells in short-term culture derived from normal and BPH biopsies. Cross-linking studies with 125I-Tyr11-SRIF-14 (125I-SRIF) and the SRIF analog 125I-BIM-23104 identified one major 57-kDa band both in surgical specimens and in epithelial and stromal cells cultures. In membrane-enriched fractions and whole stromal cells from a normal prostate and from one BPH, a single type of SSTR was characterized (Kd = 6.10(-9) and 10(-8) M, respectively, Bmax = 1.6 pmol per mg of proteins). mRNA for SSTR1 was detected in all epithelial and stromal cells tested except for PNT1, while SSTR2 mRNA was detected in one BPH stromal cell culture. BIM-23104 had no effect on the in vitro growth of the epithelial cells tested. Conversely, 10(-10) M BIM-23104 induced >50% growth inhibition of stromal cells after 6 days in culture. These results may have implications for therapeutic strategies using SRIF analogs in BPH and prostate cancer.

Neuroendocrine cells in the normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic prostate

Neuroendocrine cells can be demonstrated in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic prostatic tissues. The products secreted by these cells can be used as tissue and/or serum markers but may also have biological effects. Neuroendocrine cells in prostate cancer most probably do not contain the androgen receptor and are therefore primarily androgen independent. Some of the neuropeptides secreted by the neuroendocrine cells may act as growth factor by activation of membrane receptors in an autocrine-paracrine fashion or by ligand-independent activation of the androgen receptor in neighboring non-neuroendocrine cells. Evidence is accumulating from experiments with tumor models that neuropeptides indeed can influence the growth of prostatic tumor cells. Future research on neuroendocrine differentiation may answer some questions concerning the biological behavior of clinical prostatic tumors.

Characterization of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in membranes of MKN45 human gastric cancer

Binding of the radiolabeled bombesin analog [125I-Tyr4]bombesin to crude cell membranes of MKN45 human gastric cancer grown in nude mice was investigated in vitro. Scatchard analyses of multipoint binding data, performed by complete displacement method demonstrated the presence of two classes of [Tyr4]bombesin binding sites. The high-affinity binding sites had a mean dissociation constant (Kd1) of 2.75 nM with a mean maximal binding capacity (Bmax1) of 492 fmol/mg membrane protein, while the low-affinity binding sites showed a mean dissociation constant (Kd2) of 0.41 microM with a mean maximal binding capacity (Bmax2) of 41.4 pmol/mg membrane protein. Binding of [125(1)-Tyr4]bombesin was specific, reversible and linearly related to the protein concentration of tumor membrane. In displacement studies, the binding of radiolabeled [Tyr4]bombesin was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by gastrin releasing peptide (GRP)(14-27) and two synthetic antagonists of bombesin/GRP, RC-3095 and RC-3950-II. Both antagonists exhibited high affinity in nearly the same concentration range as GRP(14-27). The presence of receptors for bombesin/GRP on human gastric cancer membranes suggests that bombesin-like peptides may play a role in growth of gastric cancer.

Characterization of high-affinity receptors for bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide on the human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU-145: internalization of receptor bound 125I-(Tyr4) bombesin by tumor cells

Specific receptors for bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) on the androgen-independent human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU-145 were characterized. No specific binding of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin to the androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was detectable. The binding of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin to PC-3 and DU-145 cells was found to be time- and temperature-dependent, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites with high affinity (Kd 9.8 x 10(-11) M for PC-3, and 9.1 x 10(-11) M for DU-145 cells at 25 degrees C) and with a binding capacity of 44,000 binding sites/cell and 19,000 binding sites/cell, respectively. Bound 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin was rapidly internalized by PC-3 cells. The nonhydrolyzable GTP analog GTP-gamma-S caused a dose-dependent inhibition of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin binding to PC-3 and DU-145 cells, indicating that a G-protein (guanine nucleotide-binding protein) couples the bombesin receptor to intracellular effector systems. Bombesin and GRP(14-27) inhibited the binding of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin to both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner with inhibition constants (Ki) of 0.5 nM and 0.4 nM, respectively. Both cell lines express the bombesin/GRP preferring bombesin receptor subtype, since, in displacement studies, neuromedin B was more than 200 times less potent than bombesin and GRP(14-27) in inhibiting the binding of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin. Two synthetic bombesin/GRP antagonists, RC-3095 and RC-3110, powerfully inhibited the specific binding of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin with Ki 0.92 nM and 0.26 nM on PC-3 cells, and 3.3 nM and 0.89 nM on DU-145 cells, respectively. These findings indicate that the PC-3 and DU-145 human prostate cancer cell lines possess specific high-affinity receptors for bombesin/GRP, and are suitable models for the evaluation of the antineoplastic activity of new bombesin/GRP antagonists in the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Inhibitory effect of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonists RC-3950-II and RC-3095 on MCF-7 MIII human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice

Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may be involved in the growth of human breast cancers. Nude mice bearing xenografts of MCF-7 MIII human breast cancer cell line were treated for 7 weeks with bombesin/GRP antagonists RC-3950-II and RC-3095. RC-3950-II, administered sc twice daily at a dose of 10 micrograms, produced significant inhibitory effects on tumor growth after 2 weeks of administration. RC-3095 acetate (D 22213), injected sc twice daily at the same dose of 10 micrograms, suppressed tumor growth after 4 weeks. Both RC-3950-II and RC-3095 significantly decreased the final tumor volume and tumor weights. RC-3950-II appeared to be somewhat more efficacious than RC-3095 in inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 MIII breast cancers. Chronic treatment with either bombesin/GRP antagonist caused down-regulation of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in tumor cell membranes, which might be related to inhibition of tumor growth. These findings suggest that bombesin/GRP antagonists should be considered for a new endocrine therapy of breast cancer.