title: Growth inhibition of prostate cancer xenografts by halofuginone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Halofuginone, an inhibitor of collagen type I synthesis, is an anti-angiogenic agent. Here we evaluated the efficacy of halofuginone to inhibit prostate cancer (PC) xenografts representing various phenotypes of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  An androgen-dependent (CWR22), an androgen-independent (PC3), and a neuroendocrine (WISH-PC2) PC xenograft were used. Halofuginone was given orally or injected intraperitoneally. Tumor size, collagen alpha1(I) gene expression (in situ hybridization), collagen content (sirius red staining), angiogenesis (immunohistochemistry with factor VIII antibodies), and apoptosis/necrosis (DNA fragmentation) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Halofuginone inhibited the growth of all subcutaneously implanted xenografts and of WISH-PC2 when transplanted orthotopically. The effect was dose-dependent (WISH-PC2) and accompanied by decrease in plasma PSA levels (CWR22). In all xenografts, halofuginone inhibited collagen alpha1(I) gene expression, reduced collagen content, and endothelial cell number resulting in an increase in apoptosis/necrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral administration of halofuginone slowed the progression of PC xenografts representing a broad range of phenotypes. Halofuginone may become a new modality for PC prevention.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Science, The Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, Israel.
authors.forename: Zohar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gavish
authors.forename: Jehonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pinthus
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barak
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramon
authors.forename: Arnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagler
authors.forename: Zelig
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Eshhar
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pines
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009336:Necrosis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010641:Phenotype; D010880:Piperidines; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052999:Quinazolinones
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D010880:Piperidines; D011799:Quinazolines; D052999:Quinazolinones; C010176:halofuginone