Abstract 5097: PEDF inhibits bone metastases formation, prolongs survival and enhances the antitumor efficacy of low-dose chemotherapy in castration-refractory prostate cancer.
Authors: Nelius Thomas , Hirsch Jennifer , Filleur Stephanie 
Published: August 2014

Background: The development of metronomic/low dose administration of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs has shown great promise in the treatment of castration-refractory prostate cancer (CPRC). Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a natural angio-inhibitor which is down-regulated in prostate cancer. We have previously demonstrated that the over-expression of PEDF in human CRPC PC3 cells decreased tumor growth in vivo. In the present study, we further validated PEDF anti-tumor properties in the highly metastatic CRPC LNCaP-derivative CL1 cells. We also hypothesized that PEDF may enhance the cytotoxicity effects of low dose docetaxel (DTX) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) chemotherapies in vivo. Methods: PC3 and CL1 cell lines were genetically modified to stably express the fluorescent DsRed Express protein with PEDF. Resulting cells were characterized in vitro for PEDF expression by western blot and, for proliferation by growth curves and clone formation in matrigel. PEDF anti-tumor effects were assessed on established s.c. xenografts in mice treated with DTX (5mg/kg ip every 4 days, 1mg/kg ip daily for 10 days, 0.5mg/kg every other day), CTX (10-20mg/kg in the drinking water) or placebo. Survival studies were performed by injecting CL1-PEDF or -control cells into the left lobe of the dorsal prostate of anesthetized mice. For bone metastases, CL1-PEDF or -control cells were injected into the proximal region of the tibia. Results: We showed that PEDF expression inhibits the proliferation and induces the differentiation of CPRC cells in vitro, and decreases by 85% and 70% the development of s.c. PC3 and CL1 tumors, respectively. In vivo, PEDF expression inhibits the formation of bone metastases and bone destruction, and prolongs significantly (P=0.01; 95% confidence interval) the median survival of CL1 tumor-bearing mice (53±0.001 days versus 57±1). Furthermore, we demonstrated that PEDF enhances the cytotoxicity effects of low dose chemotherapy on established s.c. tumors (best Doc dose: 1mg/kg for PC3 and 5mg/kg for CL1; best CTX dose: 10mg/kg for PC3 and CL1) and prolongs significantly the survival of tumor-bearing mice undergoing low dose chemotherapy. Conclusions: These data reinforce the significance of PEDF as a potent target for the treatment of CRPC. It also emphasizes PEDF as a promising new agent to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of low dose chemotherapies.

Citation Format: Thomas Nelius, Jennifer Hirsch, Stephanie Filleur. PEDF inhibits bone metastases formation, prolongs survival and enhances the antitumor efficacy of low-dose chemotherapy in castration-refractory prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5097. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5097

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.