| DIRECT EFFECTS
OF BISPHOPSPHONATES ON PROSTATE CANCER CELLS: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
INDUCTION OF APTOPTOSIS AND PREVENTION OF ADHESION ONTO AND INVASION
INTO BONE.
Mr Jonathan Coxon St George's Hospital Medical School, London |
Patients with prostate cancer often develop metastases in bone. A group of drugs known as bisphosphonates are often used in the treatment of bone metastases, as they prevent breakdown of bone. We have been studying how bisphosphonates, including a new drug called zoledronic acid, may act on prostate cancer cells in bone.
The creation of a local blood supply is essential for the growth and survival of cancer metastases. The development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is therefore a very important step in tumour spread. In this study we have measured levels of two compounds that are indicators of angiogenesis in patients with advanced prostate cancer who are being treated with zoledronic acid.
We have found that blood levels of these markers (VEGF and bFGF) were decreased by the treatment. At the same time we have shown that this zoledronic acid treatment reduced bone breakdown as markers of bone activity were also decreased. This suggests that treatment with zoledronic acid that is effective in reducing bone turnover, leads to a decrease in elaboration of angiogenesis factors. This observation lends support to the suggestion that bisphosphonate treatment could limit development of metastases by inhibiting the creation of new blood vessels.
Research summary dated 05 May 2005
Project 2003/08