PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Prostate Cancer”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Medical therapy of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed male malignancy and the second most common cause of male cancer death in the U.S. There is no standard role for medical therapy in the treatment of localized disease, although ongoing trials are investigating possible adjuvant and neoadjuvant roles. Subtotal androgen ablation by surgical or medical means is standard therapy for advanced disease, but such therapy does not exterminate the androgen-independent clone which is hypothesized to develop very early in the course of the disease. The current favored medical therapy for subtotal androgen ablation is the use of a depot formulation of an LHRH agonist accompanied initially by an antiandrogen. Once first-line hormonal therapy has failed, there is little to be gained by any other hormonal therapy, although withdrawal of the hormone(s) might itself be a therapeutic maneuver. Cytotoxic agents presently have no standard role in the management of prostate cancer. Future effective therapies for prostate cancer are being presaged by advances in prostate tumor biology.

Humans↗

Progress in SPECT/CT imaging of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer (other than skin cancer) among men in the United States. Although prostate cancer is one of the few cancers that grow so slowly that it may never threaten the lives of some patients, it can be lethal once metastasized. Indium-111 capromab pendetide (ProstaScint, Cytogen Corporation, Princeton, NJ) imaging is indicated for staging and recurrence detection of the disease, and is particularly useful to determine whether or not the disease has spread to distant metastatic sites. However, the interpretation of 111In-capromab pendetide is challenging without correlated structural information mostly because the radiopharmaceutical demonstrates nonspecific uptake in the normal vasculature, bowel, bone marrow, and the prostate gland. We developed an improved method of imaging and localizing 111In-Capromab pendetide using a SPECT/CT imaging system. The specific goals included: i) development and application of a novel iterative SPECT reconstruction algorithm that utilizes a priori information from coregistered CT; and ii) assessment of clinical impact of adding SPECT/CT for prostate cancer imaging with capromab pendetide utilizing the standard and novel reconstruction techniques. Patient imaging studies with capromab pendetide were performed from 1999 to 2004 using two different SPECT/CT scanners, a prototype SPECT/CT system and a commercial SPECT/CT system (Discovery VH, GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI). SPECT projection data from both systems were reconstructed using an experimental iterative algorithm that compensates for both photon attenuation and collimator blurring. In addition, the data obtained from the commercial system were reconstructed with attenuation correction using an OSEM reconstruction supplied by the camera manufacturer for routine clinical interpretation. For 12 sets of patient data, SPECT images reconstructed using the experimental algorithm were interpreted separately and compared with interpretation of images obtained using the standard reconstruction technique. The experimental reconstruction algorithm improved spatial resolution, reduced streak artifacts, and yielded a better correlation with anatomic details of CT in comparison to conventional reconstruction methods (e.g., filtered back-projection or OSEM with attenuation correction only). Images produced with the experimental algorithm produced a subjective improvement in the confidence of interpretation for 11 of 12 studies. There were also changes in interpretations for 4 of 12 studies although the changes were not sufficient to alter prognosis or the patient treatment plan.

Algorithms↗

[Significance of the PSA-concentration for the detection of prostate cancer].

Prostate cancer among adult males is the most common neoplasm in western countries. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is now a well established tumor marker that aids in the early detection of localized prostate cancer. Increased PSA concentrations are found in the serum of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or patients with prostate cancer, respectively. Therefore, in general the specificity of this test is low. The diagnostic value of PSA can be improved in consideration of clinical data, patients age, the measurement of free or complexed PSA, and the measurement of PSA velocity, respectively. Furthermore, there is a high variability between commercial PSA assays. Finally, the pre-analytical laboratory procedures have a high impact on the PSA measurement.

Aged↗

The contribution of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer.

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were measured by immunochemical methods using test preparations from two different companies. In 66 patients with benign hyperplasia of the prostate a good correlation was found only between PSA levels (orthogonal regression analysis: y = 1.77 x -0.68; r = 0.995). Discrimination analysis between benign hyperplasia and new prostatic cancer (28 patients), using ROC curves, revealed a sensitivity for prostatic cancer of about 30 percent using both PAP methods and of about 58 percent using both PSA methods at the 95-percentile of benign hyperplasia. The PSA methods were both more sensitive in detecting prostatic cancer than the PAP methods.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Androgen stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in human prostate cancer.

Prostate growth and differentiation is androgen dependent, and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) has been found in more aggressive prostate cancers. As part of our efforts to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for prostate cancer progression, we evaluated the MMP-2 expression after androgen stimulation in human prostate cancer LNCaP and LAPC-4 cells, which express a functional androgen receptor. Treatment of the cells with a synthetic androgen R1881 resulted in an increase of pro-MMP-2 expression assessed by Western blot and gelatinolytic zymography in both cell lines. R1881-stimulated pro-MMP-2 expression occurred in a dose-dependent manner, which was completely abrogated in the presence of the nonsteroid androgen antagonist bicalutamide. In accordance with the protein expression, MMP-2 promoter activity was also increased by R1881 in a cell-based luciferase reporter assay. However, R1881 treatment did not significantly affect either the pro-MMP-9 expression or its promoter activity. Although we observed an appearance of active form of MMP-2, its activator MT1-MMP was not changed after R1881 treatment. Pretreatment of the cells with inhibitors of RNA transcription, actinomycin D, or protein translation, cycloheximide, significantly suppressed R1881-induced pro-MMP-2 expression in LNCaP cells, indicating that androgen stimulates pro-MMP-2 gene expression. In addition, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor, LY294002 or wortmannin, strongly inhibited R1881-induced pro-MMP-2 expression. Finally, R1881-enhanced LNCaP cell migration was clearly suppressed by LY294002 or the MMP-2 inhibitor OA-Hy in an in vitro migration assay. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that androgen stimulates pro-MMP-2 expression in LNCaP cells via phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase-dependent androgen receptor transactivation.

Cell Movement↗

Molecular mechanisms in hormone-resistant prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in males. Despite the efforts for an early diagnosis, approximately one third of the cases are diagnosed in advanced clinical stages. Prostatic cancer, as the function of normal prostate is dependent upon androgens. So, androgenic deprivation represents an effective treatment especially in advanced cases. Although, the majority of patients will initially respond to androgen blockade, consequently the hormone-resistance will develop and the tumor will progress. The mechanism that determines tumoral progression during the endocrine treatment is driven by genomic instability, characterized by activating mutations of androgen receptor gene (AR), progression of some cellular clones possible of neuroendocrine origin that become adapted to low concentrations of residual adrenal androgens, suppression of apoptosis, by bcl-2 oncogene overexpression and p53 mutations, and growth factors (IGF-1--Insulin-like growth factor, KGF--keratinocyte growth factor, EGF--Epidermal growth factor, TGF a, b- Transforming growth factor a and b, bFGF--Fibroblastic growth factor type b) regulatory effect through either a paracrine or an autocrine mechanism. The identification of molecular alterations that appear during prostate carcinogenesis, may lead to the identification of new molecular targets to prevent hormone-resistance and to improve the prognosis in prostate cancers.

Androgens↗

Alternative therapies for localized prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men; an increase in detected localized prostate cancers is expected in the years to come. Radical prostatectomy, although effective, is associated with a considerable morbidity. The aim of minimal invasive alternative treatment options should be equal efficacy, but a decrease in side effects. Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate, brachytherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and radiofrequency interstitial tumor ablation were evaluated after a literature review from a MEDLINE search (1966-2002). When compared with treatments in the 1960s and 1970s, increased safety is observed in all of the alternative treatments available today. Sophisticated technology, including the latest ultrasonography devices for exact planning and monitoring of treatment, contributes largely to this safety. Five-year results of cryosurgical ablation of the prostate show a prostate-specific antigen lower than 1 ng/mL in 60% of the cases; in the third generation, there are no long-term data available on cryosurgical ablation of the prostate. Recent outcome data of brachytherapy come close to results of radical prostatectomy series. Brachytherapy is the only true alternative at this point in time. High-intensity focused ultrasound and radiofrequency interstitial tumor ablation are promising new technologies that have proven to be able to induce extensive necrosis; however, follow-up is too short to determine their definite places in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Brachytherapy↗

Endocrine disrupting compounds and prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a major health concern and is treated based on its hormone dependence. Agents that alter hormone action can have substantial biological effects on prostate cancer development and progression. As such, there is significant interest in uncovering the potential effects of endocrine disrupting compound (EDC) exposure on prostate cancer. The present review is focused on agents that alter hormone action in the prostate and how they may impact cancer growth or treatment.

Androgens↗

Clinical utility of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer represents an ideal target for radioimmunotherapy based on the pattern of spread, including bone marrow and lymph nodes, sites that typically receive high levels of circulating antibody, and the small volume of disease, ideally suited for antibody delivery and antigen access. This review explores possible antibody targets in prostate cancer and focuses on the potential role for radioimmunotherapy by highlighting several clinical trials involving radiolabeled anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen monoclonal antibody J591. Prostate-specific membrane antigen, a highly prostate-restricted transmembrane glycoprotein with increased expression in high-grade, metastatic, and hormone-refractory disease, represents an ideal target for monoclonal antibody therapy in prostate cancer. Radiolabeled anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen monoclonal antibody J591 trials using the radiometals yttrium-90 and lutetium-177 have demonstrated manageable myelotoxicity, no significant nonhematologic toxicity, excellent targeting of soft-tissue and bone metastases, and preliminary efficacy including prostate-specific antigen and measurable disease responses. Additional studies are under way to better define the activity of radiolabeled antibody therapy as well as the role for fractionated therapy and combination approaches with taxane-based chemotherapy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Anti-tumor effects of PC-SPES, an herbal formulation in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst males in developed countries. Surgical removal of the prostate effectively cures the primary disease but the metastatic disease is refractory to most forms of chemotherapy. There is a clinical need to develop novel treatment strategies that exploit the mode of action of both conventional and alternative drugs/medicinal plants. We have been investigating the anti-proliferative and anti-tumor effects of an herbal preparation termed PC-SPES (patent pending, US serial number 08/697, 920) which is a refined powder of eight different medicinal plants. PC-SPES administered as a food supplement caused a dramatic decrease in prostate specific antigen levels in some prostate cancer patients with advanced disease. These preliminary clinical findings laid the foundation for a program to examine the in vitro and in vivo effects of PC-SPES, and identify the active component in this mixture so that a standardized treatment regimen can be formulated. In this communication, we report the anti-tumor effects of PC-SPES incorporated in the diet utilizing a well studied Dunning R3327 rat prostate cancer model. Dietary PC-SPES at levels of 0.05% and 0.025% did not exhibit any toxicity and no significant difference in food intake was noted at the end of six weeks. Dose dependent inhibitory effect of dietary PC-SPES was observed on both tumor incidence (P=0. 01) and rate of tumor growth when tumors were induced in syngeneic Copenhagen rats by intradermal injections of MAT-LyLu cells that are known to metastasize in the lung and lymph nodes. The number of pulmonary metastases in animals on PC-SPES that showed no primary tumor growth had no metastatic lesions in the lung, however, in animals that did not respond to PC-SPES, the number of pulmonary metastases was not significantly different from the non-treated controls. The significant anti-tumor effects of PC-SPES on MAT-LyLu induced tumorigenesis and metastasis in Copenhagen rats, in general refractory to most conventional therapy, suggests a therapeutic benefit of this herbal food supplement and may be a useful adjuvant to conventional therapeutic modalities.

Animals↗

Immunopathological prognostic and predictive factors in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the leading male malignancy in the Western world. Patients with prostate cancer have an unpredictable clinical course, as three biologically different types of tumor exist. This review summarises some of the recent progress made in understanding the biology of prostate cancer with special reference to the prognostic and predictive role of immunohistochemical markers. The prognostic value of established prognostic variables is also discussed.

Humans↗

Prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy diagnosed in American men, and in 1994 it will pass lung cancer as the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, with an estimated 200,000 new cases. The molecular biology of prostate carcinogenesis is rapidly advancing, and it is clear that, to a degree, prostate cancer is a heritable disease. The use of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a screening tool has been widely accepted by the medical community, although the evidence to support the efficacy of screening is not yet available. The curative approaches to organ-confined, clinically localized prostate cancer include radiation therapy, radical prostatectomy, and close observation in selected patients. The absence of well-designed clinical trials contributes to the confusion surrounding which curative treatment is the best option in individual patients. The standard approach to patients with evidence of extracapsular spread without distant metastases has been external-beam radiotherapy, although the results with radiation therapy alone in these patients has left considerable room for improvement. Innovative combined-modality approaches are currently being investigated at a number of institutions for these poor-prognosis patients. Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy is currently being investigated at multiple institutions and offers some hope for improved results. The treatment of metastatic disease remains hormonal manipulation, although the exact nature of optimal androgen deprivation is currently a matter of considerable debate. In patients with hormone-refractory disease newer regimens using novel chemotherapy regimens offer some promise.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Secondary hormonal manipulation of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among men in Western countries. The initial treatment of advanced prostate cancer is suppression of testicular androgen production by medical or surgical castration, but nearly all men with metastases develop disease progression. Patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC) have a median survival of approximately 18 months, and no therapy has yet demonstrated a definitive survival advantage. However, in the past several years, a number of promising new treatment strategies have emerged. One of the most important new treatment strategies involves secondary hormonal manipulation after the failure of primary androgen deprivation. This approach is predicated on the recognition that HRPC is a heterogeneous disease, and some patients may respond to alternative hormonal interventions despite the presence of castrate levels of testosterone.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Molecular and genetic mechanisms of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in American men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in males in the United States. Despite its high incidence, the molecular and genetic events involved in progression of prostate cancer remain poorly understood. In vitro models of human prostate epithelial (HPE) cells provide a practical approach to the analysis of the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying prostate carcinogenesis. We reported the immortalization of normal adult HPE cells by transfection of the HPV-18 DNA and the subsequent conversion of such nontumorigenic but immortalized cells (HPV-18 C-1) into tumorigenic cells by the introduction of an activated Kras oncogene. Recently, we have demonstrated the malignant transformation of HPV-18 C-1 cells after multiple exposures to the chemical carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU). Such transformants showed morphological alterations and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and induced carcinomas when transplanted into nude mice. No TP53 or RAS mutations were observed. Stepwise chromosomal changes in the progression to tumorigenicity were observed. Loss of the p arms of chromosome 8 (p10>pter) and chromosome 10(p10>pter) and gain of the q arm of chromosome 8 (p10>ptr) (the most frequent cytogenetic changes observed directly in prostate cancer patients) were observed only in the tumor outgrowths. These findings provide the first evidence of malignant transformation of HPE cells exposed to a chemical carcinogen.

Animals↗

Secondary hormonal manipulation of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among men in Western countries. The initial treatment of advanced prostate cancer is suppression of testicular androgen production by medical or surgical castration, but nearly all men with metastases will develop disease progression. Patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC) have a median survival of approximately 18 months, and no therapy has yet demonstrated a definitive survival advantage. However, in the past several years, a number of promising new treatment strategies have emerged. One of the most important new treatment strategies involves secondary hormonal manipulation after the failure of primary androgen deprivation. This approach is predicated on the recognition that HRPC is a heterogeneous disease, and some patients may respond to alternative hormonal interventions despite the presence of castrate levels of testosterone.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Expression profiling reveals hepsin overexpression in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous cancer in men. Despite this fact, many of the genetic changes that coincide with prostate cancer progression remain enigmatic. We have addressed this problem by characterizing the expression profiles of several benign and malignant human prostate samples, and we have identified several genes that are differentially expressed between benign and malignant glands. One gene that was overexpressed encodes the serine protease hepsin. We used an independent sample set to confirm that hepsin is overexpressed in prostate tumors, and in situ hybridization demonstrates that hepsin is specifically overexpressed in the carcinoma cells themselves. These facts, together with the molecular properties of hepsin, make it an ideal target for prostate cancer therapy.

Gene Expression Profiling↗

Autoantibodies to prostasomes as new markers for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among men. Given the varying clinical course and the long natural history of the disease, it is important to have good diagnostic and prognostic markers. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is currently the best marker for the detection of prostate cancer, but in many cases it does not reveal whether metastases have appeared. Since metastases of prostate cancer release prostasomes, which are immunogenic secretory granules of both normal and neoplastic prostate cells, we checked whether anti-prostasome antibodies will appear when the cancer is metastasing. In a pilot study, all 13 patients with serum PSA between 50-500 microg/L had anti-prostasome antibodies, while 39 healthy controls with low PSA values showed background values. There was no overlapping, i.e. the upper range value of controls did not reach the lower range value of patients.

Autoantibodies↗

Hormonal prevention of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is disease in which the mortality rate is highly variable among populations. An increasing risk with migratory changes suggests that some environmental factor or factors influence prostate cancer risk. It is well established that the prostate is hormonally influenced. Carcinogenesis is a process of malignant transformation evolving over time, involving cellular growth and division. There is evidence suggesting that androgenic influences over a period time encourages the process of prostate carcinogenesis. Studies of prostate biology support the concept that dihydrotestosterone is the principal androgen responsible for both normal and hyperplastic growth of the prostate gland. It may be that androgen causes prostate carcinogenesis. Suppression of dihydrotestosterone synthesis may inhibit carcinogenic transformation. Some preclinical and clinical observations support this hypothesis. A placebo controlled randomized trial using finasteride, an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, is ongoing. The endpoint of this trial is reduction of prostate cancer incidence.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗