Modulation of Paclitaxel Antitumor Effects by Calcitriol: Preclinical Studies of Mechanism, Toxicity and Efficacy in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

1,25-DIHYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL CALCITRIOL HAS ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY IN VITRO AND IN VIVO AND ENHANCES THE ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF CONVENTIONAL CYTOTOXIC AGENTS SUCH AS CISPLATIN AND CARBOPLATIN. In this study, we examined the antitumor effects of calcitriol in combination with paclitaxel in animal tumor model systems and in a Phase I clinical trial. Treatment of PC-3 and SCC cells in vitro with calcitriol 24h prior to paclitaxel reduced clonogenic potential compared to either agent alone. Treatment of tumor bearing animals with calcitriol prior to paclitaxel resulted in greater growth inhibition than was achieved with either agent alone. Paclitaxel induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells as evidenced by the time-dependent accumulation of cells with hypodiploid DNA content and the loss of lull-length PARP. Paclitaxel effects were associated with the induction of p21 and loss of Bcl-2 expression. None of the measured molecular alterations induced by paclitaxel were further modulated by calcitriol. Calcitriol enhances the antitumor effects of paclitaxel in vitro and in vivo. In addition, paclitaxel and Zoledronate significantly decreased calcitriol mediated hypercalcemia in animal models. Clinically, patients with advanced tumors are being treated with weekly cycles of calcitriol (daily x3) and paclitaxel (day 3) and the trial continues to acrue patients.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA384843

Entities

People

  • Donald Trump

Organizations

  • University of Pittsburgh

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Apoptosis
  • Biological Sciences
  • Blood
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Clinical Trials
  • Neoplasms
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Programmed Cell Death
  • Prostate
  • Prostate Cancer

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).