Finasteride dose-dependently reduces the proliferation rate of the LnCap human prostatic cancer cell line in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, and of classic antiandrogens on the growth rate of the LnCap human prostate carcinoma cell line, derived from a primary and well-differentiated neoplasm.


METHODS
Cell proliferation experiments in vitro with and without the antiandrogens cyproterone acetate, hydroxyflutamide, and finasteride in the 0.0001 to 10.0 microM range.


RESULTS
The growth rate of the LnCap cell line can be dose-dependently inhibited by 5-alpha-reductase inhibition (finasteride) and by antiandrogens (cyproterone acetate and hydroxyflutamide) in vitro, in defined conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides other human prostate cell lines derived from metastatic sites (PC3, DU145), also in the LnCap cell line an autonomous androgen-dependent mechanism of growth stimulation can be hypothesized, since testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are unable to stimulate the cell proliferation rate at the same molar concentrations. The clinical implications of these results in prostate cancer therapy and the possible future use of these molecules in the prevention of cancer incidence are discussed.
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila Medical School, Italy.
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M
Bologna
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P
Muzi
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L
Biordi
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C
Festuccia
C
C
Vicentini
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018120:Finasteride / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005485:Flutamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; C014290:hydroxyflutamide; D013739:Testosterone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D018120:Finasteride; D005485:Flutamide