Pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron): in vitro effects on prostate cancer cells regarding cell growth and vascular endothelial growth factor production.
BACKGROUND
Elmiron (ALZA Corp, Mountain View, CA) is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved oral therapy for interstitial cystitis. We hypothesized that Elmiron would affect the growth of prostate cancer in vitro.


METHODS
Prostate cancer cell lines (LnCaP, PC3, and DU145) were treated with Elmiron. Cell viability was measured by MTT (3-4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), whereas vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Inhibition of cell growth was observed in all cell lines tested. LnCaP exhibited a mean inhibition of 12% +/- 7% at 24 hours (P = .025) and 20% +/- 15% at 72 hours (P < .001). PC3 exhibited a mean inhibition of 26% +/- 13% at 24 hours (P < .001) and 44% +/- 5% at 72 hours (P < .001). DU145 exhibited a mean inhibition of 9% +/- 6% at 24 hours (P < .015) and 30% +/- 5% at 72 hours (P < .001). PC3 cells exhibited a significant reduction in VEGF levels (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The reductions in cell growth and VEGF indicate that Elmiron may act as an antiangiogenic agent and may have application in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Zaslau
Stanley
S
Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9238, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. szaslau@hsc.wvu.edu
Sparks
Scott
S
Riggs
Dale
D
Jackson
Barbara
B
Kandzari
Stanley J
SJ
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003124:Colorimetry; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester