) Advanced prostate cancer is only temporarily controlled with androgen ablation therapy, which may be secondary to the development of tumor resistance mechanisms, such as p53 mutations and Bcl-2 overexpression. We developed a preclinical epithelial cell line model to dissect out p53 and bcl-2 mechanisms of resistance, derived from primary baby rat kidney cpitlielial cells (BIZK), which were transfected with genes encoding the murine temperature sensitive p53(vaII35) and a bcl-2 expression vector. We found that cells with p53 mutation and overexpression of bcl-2 were resistant to paclitaxel (TAX). In an attempt to sensitize these cells to TAX, we found several active agents capable of overcoming p53 and bcl-2 irradiated resistance when combined with TAX including 13- cis retinoic acid and alpha interferon (CRAIIFN). In a pilot clinical trial using IFN/CRA alone in patients with prostate cancer, we demonstrated minimal activity, but gained important experience in obtaining biological correlates. Based on our initial observations using CRA/IFN in both the laboratory and the clinic, and the known importance of bcl-2 and p53 mechanisms of drug resistance in prostate cancer, we hypothesize that certain agents that overcome p53mt/+bcl-2 mediated resistance alter the function of bcl-2, and these agents when moved into the clinic will translate into improved therapeutic results against hormone refractory prostate cancer. To test this hypothesis, we will perform a clinical trial treating patients with advanced malignancy and hormone refractory prostate cancer in a phase I/U trial with CRA/IFN in combination with TAX and a detailed analysis of bcl-2 and p53 in clinical specimens.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03CA077135-02
Application #
2796404
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Xie, Heng
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
1999-09-29
Budget Start
1998-09-30
Budget End
1999-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
622146454
City
Piscataway
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08854