title: R115777 (Zarnestra)/Zoledronic acid (Zometa) cooperation on inhibition of prostate cancer proliferation is paralleled by Erk/Akt inactivation and reduced Bcl-2 and bad phosphorylation.
abstract: Zoledronic acid (ZOL) has proved activity in bone metastases from prostate cancer through inhibition of mevalonate pathway and of prenylation of intracellular proteins. We have reported that ZOL synergizes with R115777 farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI, Zarnestra) in inducing apoptosis and growth inhibition on epidermoid cancer cells. Here, we have studied the effects of the combination of these agents in prostate adenocarcinoma models and, specifically, on androgen-independent (PC3 and DU145) and -dependent (LNCaP) prostate cancer cell lines. We have found that ZOL and R115777 were synergistic in inducing both growth inhibition and apoptosis in prostate adenocarcinoma cells. These effects were paralleled by disruption of Ras-->Erk and Akt survival pathways, consequent decreased phosphorylation of both mitochondrial bcl-2 and bad proteins, and caspase activation. Finally, ZOL/R115777 combination induced cooperative effects also in vivo on tumor growth inhibition of prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice with a significant survival increase. These effects were paralleled by enhanced apoptosis and inactivation of both Erk and Akt. In conclusions, the combination between ZOL and FTI leads to enhanced anti-tumor activity in human prostate adenocarcinoma cells likely through a more efficacious inhibition of ras-dependent survival pathways and consequent bcl-related proteins-dependent apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pharmacology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "Fondazione G. Pascale," Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caraglia
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leonetti
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meo
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.forename: Raffaello
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertieri
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zupi
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budillon
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C494819:BAD protein, human; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D015363:Quinolones; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020169:Caspases; D018631:ras Proteins; C402769:tipifarnib