Radiosensitization of Prostate Tumor Cells by Prenyltransferase Inhibitors
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine whether ras oncogene activation contributes to radiation resistance in prostate tumor cells, and if so, whether this resistance can be reversed through the use of prenyltransferase inhibitors. We have examined both rodent and human prostate tumor cell lines in vitro and determined that radiation resistance is increased in some, but not all lines after expression of activated ras is induced by transfection or transduction with activated ras oncogenes. In cells where expression of activated ras was linked to increased radiation resistance, treatment with farnesyltransferase inhibitors resulted in radiosensitization in vitro. Preliminary in vivo results show that farnesyltransferase inhibitors have the effect of reducing tumor hypoxia in prostate tumors expressing activated ras. Our results imply that prenyltransferase inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of prostate tumors when used in conjunction with radiation therapy. These inhibitors appear to affect both intrinsic cell radiosensitivity (as measured in vitro) as well as altering the tumor micro-environment (as shown in vivo).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADB253499
Entities
People
- Eric J. Bernhard
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania