New Action of Inhibin Alpha Subunit in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Abstract
This project ultimately aims to identify the role of inhibin alpha subunit (INHA) in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). The hypothesis to be tested is that INHA is tumor promoting and pro-metastatic in advanced PCa. To date, we have made significant progress towards understanding the role of INHA in advanced prostate disease. We have demonstrated that increased INHA expression in highly aggressive and metastatic PCa cell line, PC3, further promotes its tumor growth and metastatic ability. Increase in metastasis was further evident by increase lymph vessel density and lymphatic invasion by the cancer cells. This was also accompanied by increase in VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression. Analysis of the clinical specimens demonstrated that INHA expression cannot be used to determine lymph node status in PCa patients. However, the results showed increased INHA expression in normal epithelium and intraepithelial neoplasia regions of the tissues from patient with lymph node metastasis compared to those with organ-confined disease suggesting that INHA may play an important role in promoting the spread of cancer cells to the lymph nodes. We will soon begin our work on understanding the mechanism through which INHA promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Whatever the outcomes of these experiments are, we are sure to contribute significantly to our understanding of the role of INHA in the process of prostate carcinogenesis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA482777
Entities
People
- Preetika Balanathan
Organizations
- Monash University