Vitamin D-Androgen Interaction in Prostate Cancer

The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of the vitamin D - androgen interaction in prostate cancer. Calcitriol, the active hormonal form of vitamin D, induces androgen receptors AR in prostate cells. Major findings thus far involve studies in two areas. First, the ability of vitamin D and retinoids to regulate AR levels in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. These studies have led to a publication which is included in the Appendix. The major conclusion is that the growth inhibitory activity of vitamin D and retinoid hormones is androgen-dependent and the activity can be blocked by the AR antagonist, Casodex. Second, is a study of prostate cancer cells derived from a bone metastasis in a patient whose prostate cancer had progressed to become androgen-independent. As detailed in a paper that is in press, the cells have a double mutation in the AR. Further study of these cells is in progress in an attempt to determine the nature of the changes that led to androgen-independence. The significance of this work is that it will increase our understanding of factors that stimulate prostate cancer growth and will attempt to develop mechanisms to inhibit the growth and progression of prostate cancer.