C. L. Eaton

Growth Factor Receptors and Oncogene Expression in Prostate Cells

Specimens of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate carcinoma and prostate cells in culture were assessed for their capacity to bind androgens. radioiodinated EGF. and IGF-I, and to express certain cellular protooncogenes. Prostate cell lines contained receptors for both EGF and IGF-I. Similarly, clinical samples of human diseased prostate contained receptors for both of these factors. Prostate carcinoma contained higher concentrations of EGF receptors based on DNA than did BPH. although it is accepted that BPH may not be the appropriate comparison for carcinoma. Increased EGF receptors were associated circumstantially with a decline in androgen receptors with deteriorating differentiation status and with an increase in expression of c-myc. Androgen receptor concentration correlated with increased expression of c-fos. Deteriorating differentiation status was associated with the appearance or increase in secondary sites with lower affinity for IGF-I. Whereas c-myc expression was increased in all grades of carcinoma compared to BPH. expression of c-H-ras accompanied loss of differentiation. Although those alterations are hindered by tissue heterogeneity and correlations are essentially circumstantial, they may provide clues to the progression of prostate cancer that can be validated in prostate cell lines with similar growth response capabilities.

Comparative studies of the mitogenic effects of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor‐α and the expression of various growth factors in neoplastic and non‐neoplastic prostatic cell lines

The role of growth factors in prostate cell growth has been investigated as these peptides may be involved in the autonomous growth of hormone‐independent prostate cancer.

Effect of n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Growth and Lipid Composition of Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Canine Prostate Epithelial Cell Cultures

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6) are reported to selectively kill malignant cells. Most investigations, however, did not compare neoplastic with non‐neoplastic cells from the same tissue type. Here we evaluate the effects of n‐6 fatty acids on a non‐neoplastic epithelium cell line (CAPE) and a spontaneous carcinoma cell line (CPA) derived from the canine prostate.

Response of cell growth and retinoic acid receptor expression to retinoic acid in neoplastic and non-neoplastic prostate cell lines

Retinoic acid (RA) is recognized as an inhibitor of tumorigenesis, but conversely, has also been shown to act as a tumor enhancer, therefore its role in prostate tumor cell growth was investigated.

Endocrine Aspects of Prostate Cancer

Prostatic cancer in the year 2000 will be at the forefront of medical problems affecting the male population of the world. There is now a considerable amount of evidence to indicate that cancer of the prostate gland is, or is quickly becoming, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the western world. The incidence rate appears to be consistently rising and, interestingly, the mortality rate for the black population of the United States of America is double that of the white people. It is becoming very evident that prostatic disease, both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as well as cancer, has become a serious health-care problem, particularly when considered in relation to the ever increasing proportion of the population in the more developed countries that is over the age of 65 years.

Prostatic Cancer: Aetiology and Endocrinology

Prostate cancer is common in the male population, worldwide. Several therapies are currently available, but only greater understanding of the complex processes that govern the growth of the cancer will produce real progress in treatment.

Some Aspects of the Molecular Endocrinology of Prostatic Cancer

A recent report from the World Health Organisation [1] reveals that carcinoma of the prostate is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer after skin cancer in the male population of the United States of America and the second most common cause of death from cancer after that of lung. The age-adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 vary in different regions of the United States from 18.9 for white males in Arkansas to 55.5 for black men in North Carolina, probably the highest mortality rate in the world [2]. Overall around the world, the incidence of prostatic cancer is increasing at an annual rate of approximately 2% to 3% (Fig. 1), with the lifetime risk of the disease developing in North American men being nearly 10% [3].