Presence of receptors for bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide and mRNA for three receptor subtypes in human prostate cancers

BACKGROUND: Bombesin-like peptides can function as autocrine or paracrine growth factors and stimulate the growth of some cancer cells, including human prostate cancer. Three bombesin receptor subtypes, termed gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), neuromedin B receptor (NMBR), and bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3), have been identified in rodents and humans. METHODS: We investigated the presence and characteristics of the functional receptors for bombesin/GRP in human prostate adenocarcinoma specimens by radio-receptor assay and the mRNA expression of the three bombesin receptor subtypes by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Of the 80 specimens of primary prostate cancer examined by receptor binding assays, 50 ( approximately 63%) showed high-affinity, low-capacity binding sites for bombesin/GRP, and 12 of these 50 receptor-positive specimens also showed a second binding site. Of the 22 prostate cancer specimens analyzed by RT-PCR, 20 (91%) expressed GRPR mRNA, 3 (14%) showed NMBR mRNA, and 2 ( approximately 9%) revealed BRS-3 mRNA. No correlation was observed between receptor expression and patients' age or pathological data. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of a wide distribution of bombesin/GRP receptors in human prostate carcinomas supports the view that they may be involved in modulation of tumor progression and suggests that approaches based on binding of bombesin receptor antagonists or new targeted cytotoxic bombesin analogs to prostate cancers could be considered for the therapy.     

Potentiation of the inhibitory effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonists on PC-3 human prostate cancer by bombesin antagonists indicative of interference with both IGF and EGF pathways

BACKGROUND: In view of the involvement of various neuropeptides and growth factors in the progression of androgen-independent prostate cancer, we investigated the effects of antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) alone or in combination with an antagonist of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) on PC-3 human prostate cancers. METHODS: Nude mice implanted with PC-3 tumors received GHRH antagonists MZ-5-156 or JV-1-38, each at 20 microgram/day s.c. In experiment 2, treatment consisted of daily injections of JV-1-38 (20 microgram), BN/GRP antagonist RC-3940-II (10 microgram), or a combination of JV-1-38 and RC-3940-II. Serum IGF-I levels, expression of mRNA for IGF-II, and characteristics of BN/GRP and EGF receptors in tumor tissue were investigated. RESULTS: JV-1-38 induced a greater inhibition of tumor growth and suppression of IGF-II mRNA than MZ-5-156, both compounds causing a similar decrease in serum IGF-I. In experiment 2, JV-1-38 and RC-3940-II produced a comparable reduction in tumor volume (65% and 61%, respectively), but a combination of both antagonists augmented tumor inhibition to 75%. Combined treatment with JV-1-38 and RC-3940-II also led to a greater suppression of IGF-II mRNA (92%), as compared with JV-1-38 (72%) or RC-3940-II (77%). Serum IGF-I concentration was lowered only in mice treated with JV-1-38, while the downregulation of BN/GRP and EGF receptors was specific for groups receiving RC-3940-II. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effects of GHRH antagonists on PC-3 human androgen-independent prostate cancer can be potentiated by concomitant use of BN/GRP antagonists. The combination of both types of analogs apparently interferes with both IGF and bombesin/EGF pathways, and might be clinically useful for the management of androgen-independent prostate cancer.     

Inhibition of growth of PC-82 human prostate cancer line xenografts in nude mice by bombesin antagonist RC-3095 or combination of agonist [D-Trp6]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin analog RC-160.

The effects of treatment with a bombesin receptor antagonist [D-Tpi6, Leu13 psi (CH2NH) Leu14]BN(6-14)(RC-3095) and the combination of an agonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and somatostatin analog D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val- Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) were studied in nude mice bearing xenografts of the hormone-dependent human prostate tumor PC-82. During the 5 weeks of treatment, tumor growth was decreased in all treated groups compared with controls. Bombesin antagonist RC-3095 and the combination of [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and RC-160 caused a greater inhibition of tumor growth than [D-Trp6]-LH-RH or RC-160 alone as based on measurement of tumor volume and percentage change in tumor volume. The largest decrease in tumor weight was also seen in the groups treated with the bombesin antagonist and with the combination of RC-160 and [D-Trp6]-LH-RH. Serum prostatic-specific antigen levels were greatly decreased, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as well as growth hormone levels were reduced in all treated groups. Specific binding sites for [D-Trp6]-LH-RH, epidermal growth factor (EGF), IGF-I, and somatostatin (SS-14) were found in the tumor membranes. Receptors for EGF were significantly down-regulated by treatment with the bombesin antagonist or RC-160. Combination of LH-RH agonists with somatostatin analog RC-160 might be considered for improvement of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. The finding that bombesin antagonist RC-3095 inhibits the growth of PC-82 prostate cancer suggests the merit of further studies to evaluate the possible usefulness of antagonists of bombesin in the management of prostatic carcinoma.     

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 (K_d 9.8 × 10^?11 M for PC-3, and 9.1 × 10-¹¹ M for DU-145 cells at 25°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 (K_i 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 K_i 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. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Expression and functional influence of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein II in renal cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Retinoic acid (RA) and its derivates possess antiproliferative and tumor-suppressive abilities and are successfully used in the treatment of various malignancies. However, in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), its application did not meet first expectations. As the exact mechanisms of RA action and especially the role of the cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins (CRABP) still remain unclear, we studied the expression of CRABP-II and its potential influence on RA response in RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the real-time RT-PCR methodology to investigate CRABP-II expression in 12 RCC samples and corresponding normal kidney tissue. Moreover, CRABP-II was cloned and overexpressed in CAKI-2 RCC cells. CRABP-II (un)transfected CAKI-2 cells were stimulated with all-trans RA (ATRA) and 9-cis RA, and their antiproliferative effects were evaluated using 3H-thymidine-proliferation assays. RESULTS: Using RPS9 and RPLP0 to normalize its expression, the median tumor/kidney ratio for CRABP-II expression was 0.16 and 0.12, respectively. Using proliferation assays, CRABP-II overexpressing CAKI-2 cells did not exhibit a significant change in RA sensitivity, but appeared to be less sensitive toward RA-stimulation compared to CAKI-2 cells expressing naturally low levels of CRABP-II (maximum difference, 59% at 3 microM ATRA). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to demonstrate a downregulation of CRABP-II expression in primary RCC tumor samples compared to the corresponding normal kidney tissue. However, CRABP-II overexpression in CAKI-2 RCC cells did not significantly influence RA associated antiproliferative actions. Further experiments are necessary to define the exact role of CRABP-II and its downregulation in RCC including its influence and dependence on other molecules involved in RA signalling and metabolism.     

Organ culture studies of human prostatic adenocarcinomas

The proliferative responses of human prostatic carcinoma have been evaluated in organ culture using [125I]-iododeoxyuridine ([125I]UdR) to monitor DNA synthesis. The morphological preservation was not influenced by the addition of fetal calf serum or insulin (5 mu gm/ml), transferrin (10 mu gm/ml), and thyrotropin releasing hormone (10(-9) M) to the active medium. Testosterone (4 X 10(-7) M) stimulated [125I]UdR uptake, whereas diethylstilboestrol (4 X 10(-6) M) had no direct effect on uptake. Both estramustine phosphate (4 X 10(-6) M) and oestradiol-17 beta (4 X 10(-6) M) inhibited uptake in a similar manner. Thus while explants of human prostatic carcinoma derived from transurethrally resected specimens can be well maintained in organ culture for a few days, proliferative responses are small and difficult to measure for individual patients.     

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.     

Gastrin-Releasing Peptide, a Bombesin-like Neuropeptide, Promotes Cutaneous Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of neuropeptides on wound healing. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), one of the bombesin-like neuropeptides, on wound healing. METHODS: The effects of GRP on cultured keratinocyte proliferation and migration were measured by BrdU uptake and in vitro scratch assay, respectively. Various concentrations of GRP ointments (0, 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6) M) were topically applied to 1.0 mm wounds on porcine flanks. RESULTS: GRP stimulated keratinocyte growth and locomotion in a dose-dependent manner. Topical administration of GRP accelerated macroscopic epidermal regeneration in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by planimetry. Histologic studies also showed that GRP promoted reepithelialization, including epidermal thickness as well as superficial skin coverage. CONCLUSION: Topical use of GRP may clinically accelerate wound healing of burns, injuries, chronic ulcers, and skin graft donor sites through the enhancement of keratinocyte growth and spreading.     

Actions and metabolism of histamine in glomeruli and tubules of the human kidney

The effects of histamine on cAMP and cGMP accumulation and the intrarenal metabolism of histamine were studied in glomeruli and cortical tubules of nine human kidneys. Histamine stimulated cAMP but not cGMP accumulation in glomeruli (delta + 100% to + 265%) in a dose- (10(-6) to 10(-4) M range) and time-dependent manner. This effect of histamine was inhibited by the histamine H2 antagonist cimetidine but not the H1 antagonist diphenhydramine. Moreover, the H2 agonist dimaprit but not the H1 agonist 2-pyridylethylamine stimulated cAMP accumulation. Histamine had no effect on cAMP or cGMP accumulation in tubules. Because the content of histamine (congruent to 2 X 10(-6) M) in glomeruli was far above the circulating levels of plasma histamine in humans (less than 10(-8) M), we explored whether histamine is formed in human renal tissue. Incubation of glomeruli with 1 mM of the histamine precursor L-histidine resulted in an increase in histamine levels (+ delta 6.08 +/- 0.5 pmoles/mg protein, N = 7 kidneys) while a marked drop in histamine levels was observed in tubules (- delta 13.8 +/- 2.4 pmoles/mg protein, N = 7 kidneys). The increase in histamine levels in glomeruli was abolished by the histidine decarboxylase inhibitor bromocresine. These results indicate that human glomeruli have histamine H2 receptors, which mediate enhanced cAMP accumulation, and that glomeruli are major sites of histamine production in the human kidney. Histamine acting via cAMP may influence glomerular function of the human kidney.     

Aquaretic inhibits renal cancer proliferation: Role of vasopressin receptor-2 (V2-R)

Vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone with antidiuretic properties that is also involved in cellular proliferation of breast, pulmonary, and pancreatic neoplasias, attributable to the interaction with specific receptors, among which is the V2-R. Using a culture model of CAKI-2 and A498 cancer cells, our study aimed to verify if renal carcinoma cells also express V2-R and whether receptor activation modulates their proliferation. Immunofluorescence and RT-PCR showed that both CAKI-2 and A498 cells effectively synthesize and express the V2-R. Administration of the vasopressin analogue DDAVP induced an evident growth in both CAKI-2 and A498 cell lines. However, this proliferative effect was completely avoided by the preventive addition of the V2-R antagonist SR121463B (satavaptan). Our study shows for the first time that renal cancer may effectively synthesize and express the V2-R. Furthermore, AVP exerts in vitro a proliferative effect by acting on this receptor, as the selective V2-R blockage is able to completely prevent the cellular growth. A validation of these findings with in vivo models is required to ascertain if the eventual presence of V2-R could influence the aggressiveness of human renal neoplasias. From this point of view, a new, interesting therapeutical application of V2-R antagonists in the treatment of renal cancer could also be proposed, similar to that successfully described in the treatment of autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).     

The effect of gastrin on growth of human stomach cancer cells.

Gastrin is known as a trophic factor for some stomach and colorectal cancer cells; however, the roles of gastrin receptors and the intracellular signal transduction pathways by which gastrin regulates cell growth are still unknown. The authors examined the effect of synthetic human gastrin-17 on growth of human stomach cancer cells (the parent line, AGS-P, and two different clones, AGS-10 and AGS-12), which were established (and have been maintained) in our laboratory. Gastrin stimulated growth of AGS-P and AGS-10 cells, which have gastrin receptors, in a dose-dependent fashion. A highly selective gastrin receptor antagonist, JMV 320, inhibited the growth-stimulatory effect of gastrin on AGS-P cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Concentrations of gastrin (10(-8) to 10(-6) M), which stimulated growth of AGS-P cells, did not affect either cyclic adenosine monophosphate production or phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. Gastrin (10(-11) to 10(-5) M) mobilized calcium from the intracellular organelles to increases intracellular calcium level in AGS-P cells. The AGS-12 clone has no gastrin receptors, and gastrin did not affect growth or mobilization of intracellular calcium in these cells. Our findings indicate that gastrin stimulates growth of AGS cells through a mechanism that involves binding to specific gastrin receptors that are linked to the system for mobilization of intracellular calcium.     

Effect of the neuropeptides bombesin and calcitonin on the growth of prostate cell lines, PC-3, DU 145, and LNCaP

Neuroendocrine cells are present in normal and tumoral prostate tissue, the neuropeptides secreted by this cells have a biological functions that have not been fully elucidated. The presence of neuroendocrine cells in prostatic carcinoma have been shown to increase tumor progression. We characterized the in vitro proliferative influence of bombesin and calcitonin in androgen-insensitive, PC-3 and DU-145, and androgen-sensitive, LNCaP, cell lines of human prostate cancers. The influence of these neuropeptides on proliferation were assessed using the colorimetric XTT assay and by cells counts with a hemocytometer. The growth of PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines is stimulated by bombesin and calcitonin but exerted any stimulatory effect on the proliferation of the LNCaP cell line. This indicate that bombesin and calcitonin can modulate proliferation of androgen-insensitive human prostate cell lines "in vitro" and may be potential paracrine growth promoters in stablished androgen irresponsive human prostatic carcinoma cells.     

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.     

Gastrointestinal peptide signalling in health and disease.

Gastrointestinal peptides including mammalian bombesin-like peptides, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin, and neurotensin stimulate DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in cultured cells and are implicated as growth factors in a number of fundamental processes including development, inflammation, tissue regeneration, and neoplastic transformation. These agonists bind to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that promote Galpha q-mediated activation of beta isoforms of phospholipase C to produce two second messengers: Inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate {Ins (1, 4, 5) P3} that mobilises Ca2+ from internal stores, and diacylglycerol that activates the classic and new isoforms of the protein kinase C (PKC) family. PKCs play a critical part in transducing bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptor signals into activation of protein kinase cascades. Protein kinase D (PKD), a serine/threonine protein kinase with distinct structural and enzymological properties, is activated by phosphorylation in living cells through a new PKC-dependent signal transduction pathway. GPCR agonists including bombesin/GRP induce a rapid and striking activation of PKD by PKC. These results indicate that PKD functions downstream from PKCs and identify a new phosphorylation cascade that is activated by gastrointestinal peptide agonists. The bombesin/GRP GPCR also promotes rapid Rho-dependent assembly of focal adhesions, formation of actin stress fibres and tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins. We identified p125 focal adhesion kinase (FAK), p130 Crk-associated substrate (CAS) and paxillin as prominent targets of gastrointestinal peptide-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and developed a model that envisages a G12/Rho-dependent pathway connecting GPCR activation to the tyrosine phosphorylation of these focal adhesion proteins. Separate pathways mediate gastrointestinal peptide stimulation of additional tyrosine kinase pathways including transactivation of Src and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Tyrosine phosphorylation has a critical role in gastrointestinal peptide-induced cellular migration and cooperates with Gq-stimulated events to promote mitogenesis. The growth-promoting effects of neuropeptides and the elucidation of the signalling pathways that mediate their effects assume an added importance because these agonists and their receptors are increasingly implicated in sustaining the proliferation of clinically aggressive solid tumours including those from lung, pancreas, and colon.     

Lactam formation increases receptor binding, adenylyl cyclase stimulation and bone growth stimulation by human parathyroid hormone (hPTH)(1-28)NH2.

Human parathyroid hormone (1-28)NH2 [hPTH(1-28)NH2] is the smallest of the PTH fragments that can fully stimulate adenylyl cyclase in ROS 17/2 rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells. This fragment has an IC50 of 110 nM for displacing 125I-[Nle8,18,Tyr34]bovine PTH(1-34)NH2 from HKRK B7 porcine kidney cells, which stably express 950,000 human type 1 PTH/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptors (PTH1Rs) per cell. It also has an EC50 of 23.9 nM for stimulating adenylyl cyclase in ROS 17/2 cells. Increasing the amphiphilicity of the alpha-helix in the residue 17-28 region by replacing Lys27 with Leu and stabilizing the helix by forming a lactam between Glu22 and Lys26 to produce the [Leu27]cyclo(Glu22-Lys26)hPTH(1-28)NH2 analog dramatically reduced the IC50 for displacing 125I-[Nle8,18,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34)NH2 from hPTH1Rs from 110 to 6 nM and dropped the EC50 for adenylyl cyclase stimulation in ROS 17/2 cells from 23.9 to 9.6 nM. These modifications also increased the osteogenic potency of hPTH(1-28)NH2. Thus, hPTH(1-28)NH2 did not significantly stimulate either femoral or vertebral trabecular bone growth in rats when injected daily at a dose of 5 nmol/100 g body weight for 6 weeks, beginning 2 weeks after ovariectomy (OVX), but it strongly stimulated the growth of trabeculae in the cancellous bone of the distal femurs and L5 vertebrae when injected at 25 nmol/100 g body weight. By contrast [Leu27]cyclo(Glu22-Lys26)hPTH(1-28)NH2 significantly stimulated trabecular bone growth when injected at 5 nmol/100 g of body weight. Thus, these modifications have brought the bone anabolic potency of hPTH(1-28)NH2 considerably closer to the potencies of the larger PTH peptides and analogs.     

Suppression of the growth and invasiveness of human prostate cancer cells in vitro by neuropeptide antagonist substance P analogues

Neuropeptides may be essential to the growth and progress of prostate cancer, particularly during androgen-independent cell development. To determine whether neuropeptide antagonists substance P analogues can be used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of prostate cancer, their effects on the growth and invasiveness of established human prostate cancer cell lines were examined. The effects of [d-Arg(1), d-phe(5), d-Trp(7,9), Leu(11)]substance P and [Arg(6), d-Trp(7,9), MePhe(8)]substance P(6-11) on two androgen-independent cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145) and an androgen-dependent cell line (LNCaP) were studied. The cytotoxicity of substance P analogues was assessed based on their effects on DNA synthesis and cell proliferation by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and cell growth assays, respectively. Inhibition of the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells was estimated based on the extent of cell penetration of reconstituted basement membrane. Substance P analogues inhibited DNA synthesis and cell proliferation of prostate cancer cells dose dependently but complete recovery was achieved by the addition of bombesin or substance P. [d-Arg(1), d-phe, d-Trp(7,9), Leu(11)]substance P inhibited the invasiveness of PC-3 cells. Neuropeptide antagonists substance P analogues have been found useful as therapeutic agents for prostate cancer. Their action occurs primarily through the inhibition of Ca(2+) mobilizing neuropeptides such as bombesin and substance P.     

Gastrin-releasing peptide-, calcitonin gene-related peptide-, and calcitonin-like immunoreactivity in human breast cyst fluid and gastrin-releasing peptide-like immunoreactivity in human breast carcinoma cell lines

To assess the role of growth factors in proliferative disorders of the breast, we assayed breast cyst fluid from 70 patients for calcitonin-related peptides. Cyst fluids (5.4 +/- 6.6 ml) (mean +/- SD) (n = 70) contained 10,499 +/- 8272 pg/ml of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-like immunoreactivity in 66 of 70 samples. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity was found in 64 of 64 samples tested (3842 +/- 2048 pg/ml). Calcitonin-like immunoreactivity was detected in 47 of 69 samples (185 +/- 106 pg/ml). Significant correlations were found for GRP versus volume, CGRP, and calcitonin, for calcitonin versus volume and CGRP, and for CGRP versus volume. Extracts of two human breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and BT-20) contained measurable GRP-like immunoreactivity. We conclude that GRP-, CGRP-, and calcitonin-like immunoreactivities are present in human breast cyst fluid and that GRP-like immunoreactivity is present in two established human breast carcinoma cell lines. High concentrations of GRP-like immunoreactivity in both breast cyst fluid and breast carcinoma tissue, taken together with the known mitogenic and trophic activities of this peptide, support the hypothesis that GRP may be an important factor in human breast disease.     

The effect of prolactin on human BPH epithelial cell proliferation

Epithelial cell monolayers derived from specimens of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue by an explant culture technique were cultured with prolactin in the presence and absence of androgens. Proliferation of the cells was measured by both autoradiographic assessment of [3H]-thymidine uptake and stathmokinetic procedures. Prolactin significantly stimulated the growth of these cells in the concentration range 0.5 mIU/ml to 10 mIU/ml but was inhibitory at a concentration of 100 mIU/ml. In the presence of testosterone (1 X 10(-7) M), prolactin at low concentrations (greater than 1 mIU/ml) but not at 10 mIU/ml, the concentration at which all other experiments were performed, produced a further stimulation in the proliferation. The increase in growth seen with cells cultured with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (1 X 10(-7) M) was reduced with addition of prolactin at high concentrations (10-100 mIU). When the fetal calf serum used in the cultures was stripped of endogenous steroids, prolactin still increased cell proliferation, although to a reduced extent. This indicated that the effects of prolactin were not dependent on the presence of androgens.