Targeted cytotoxic analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), AEZS-108 (AN-152), inhibits the growth of DU-145 human castration-resistant prostate cancer in vivo and in vitro through elevating p21 and ROS levels

Oncotarget. 2014 Jun 30;5(12):4567-78. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2146.

Abstract

Management of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is challenging due to lack of efficacious therapy. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs appear to act directly on cells based on the LHRH receptors on human prostate adenocarcinoma cells. We explored anticancer activity of a cytotoxic analog of LHRH, AEZS-108 consisting of LHRH agonist linked to doxorubicin. Nude mice bearing DU-145 tumors were used to compare antitumor effects of AEZS-108 with its individual constituents or their unconjugated combination. The tumor growth inhibition of conjugate was greatest among treatment groups (90.5% inhibition vs. 41% by [D-Lys(6)]LHRH+DOX). The presence of LHRH receptors on DU-145 cells was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. In vitro, AEZS-108 significantly inhibited cell proliferation (61.2% inhibition) and elevated apoptosis rates (by 46%). By the detection of the inherent doxorubicin fluorescence, unconjugated doxorubicin was seen in the nucleus; the conjugate was perinuclear and at cell membrane. Autophagy, visualized by GFP-tagged p62 reporter, was increased by AEZS-108 (7.9-fold vs. 5.3-fold by DOX+[D-Lys(6)]LHRH. AEZS-108 more effectively increased reactive oxygen species (ROS, 2-fold vs. 1.4-fold by DOX+[D-Lys(6)]LHRH) and levels of the apoptotic regulator p21 in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrate robust inhibitory effects of the targeted cytotoxic LHRH analog AEZS-108 on LHRHR positive castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Doxorubicin / metabolism
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, LHRH / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, LHRH
  • LHRH, lysine(6)-doxorubicin
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Doxorubicin
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins