Inhibition of ligand-mediated HER2 activation in androgen-independent prostate cancer

Cancer Res. 2002 Oct 1;62(19):5485-8.

Abstract

Hormone-independent tumor growth and metastasis are associated with increased mortality in human prostate cancer. In this study, we evaluate a potential role for ligand-mediated activation of HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase in androgen-independent prostate cancers. HER2, HER3, and epidermal growth factor receptor were detected in the androgen-independent cell line 22Rv1. Heregulin stimulation results in receptor phosphorylation and cell proliferation that is inhibited by increasing concentrations of anti-HER2 recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (rhuMAb) 2C4. Furthermore, inhibition of tumor growth was observed in xenografts derived from 22Rv1 cells when treated with rhuMAb 2C4 in a dose-dependent manner. These studies provide a framework, both in vitro and in vivo, to examine the molecular mechanisms of ligand-driven HER2 activation in androgen-independent tumorigenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / physiology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / therapy
  • Neuregulin-1 / pharmacology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Ligands
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Receptor, ErbB-3