title: Anti-tumor effect of novel cationic biomaterials in prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumor cells expressing excessive anionic-charged sialic acid can be potentially targeted by cationic polymers which may inhibit tumor growth. In the present study, three new families of cationic polymers were synthesized to assess their effects on prostate cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cationic polymers effects on PC3 prostate cancer cells and normal prostate epithelial cell (RWPE-1) were assessed using cell viability, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis assays and confocal microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dextran-based polymer (Dex-PA-3X) (40 μg/ml) and the vinyl-based PolyAETA (5 μg/ml) induced a significant reduction in cell viability in PC3 cells (85% and 50%, respectively; p<0.05) in comparison to RWPE-1 cells. Furthermore, Dex-PA-3X induced a 50%, and PolyAETA induced a 35% increase in cell death in PC3 cells compared to RWPE-1 cells measured by DNA fragmentation assay. Lower concentrations of both polymers induced apoptosis while higher concentrations induced both apoptosis and necrosis by immunostaining. Confocal microscopy indicated the localization of Dex-PA in the cytoplasm of PC3 but not RWPE-1 cells, while PolyAETA was seen in both PC3 and RWPE-1 cells, but at lower intensity in RWPE-1 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The newly-synthesized cationic polymers Dex-PA-3X and PolyAETA selectively bind to, reduce viability and induce cell apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, suggesting that targeting negatively-charged tumor cells could be a novel strategy to treat prostate cancer.
authors: Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, U.S.A.
authors: Gunjan
authors: G
authors: Gakhar
authors: Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, U.S.A.
authors: Huixian
authors: H
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, U.S.A.
authors: Roquian
authors: R
authors: Shen
authors: Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, U.S.A.
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Scherr
authors: Biomedical Engineering Program and Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, U.S.A.
authors: Dequn
authors: D
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, U.S.A.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Nanus
authors: Biomedical Engineering Program and Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, U.S.A. cc62@cornell.edu.
authors: Chih-Chang
authors: CC
authors: Chu
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Amino acid-based poly (ester-amide)s; apoptosis; arginine; cationic polymers; chitosan; cytotoxicity; dextran; lysine; necrosis; polysaccharides; prostate cancer