Radiation Sensitization Via Inhibiting Survival of Prostate Cancer and its Vascular Endothelium

Abstract

We have proposed that Akt/mTOR signaling mediates cell survival and contributes to radioresistance. We intend to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanism by which inhibition of Akt/mTOR or overexpression of PTEN in both prostate cancer and its vasculature results in radiosensitization. In addition we propose to determine possible association between level or activity of these molecules and clinical response to radiotherapy. We have found differences in how irradiation affects Akt/mTOR signaling and in efficacy toward prostate cancer cells when radiation and mTOR inhibitors are combined. We found alternative death mechanisms such as autophagy are important in determining radiation sensitivity of prostate cancer cells. Furthermore we found inhibition of caspases improves radiation efficacy upon vasculature and prostate cancer cells by induction of autophagy. We plan to investigate small molecule compounds targeting these pathways for radiosensitization of prostate cancer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA473670

Entities

People

  • Bo Lu

Organizations

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apoptosis
  • Autophagy
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Health Services
  • Inhibition
  • Inhibitors
  • Medical Personnel
  • Molecules
  • Neoplasms
  • Oncology
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Radiotherapy
  • Small Molecules
  • Therapy
  • Tissues

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine
  • Physics

Readers

  • Oncology (Cancer Research).