Ferroptosis Inducers Are a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Advanced Prostate Cancer

Cancer Res. 2021 Mar 15;81(6):1583-1594. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-20-3477. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death induced by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation and lipid reactive oxygen species in cells. It has been recently demonstrated that cancer cells are vulnerable to ferroptosis inducers (FIN). However, the therapeutic potential of FINs in prostate cancer in preclinical settings has not been explored. In this study, we demonstrate that mediators of ferroptosis, solute carrier family 7 member 11, SLC3A2, and glutathione peroxidase, are expressed in treatment-resistant prostate cancer. We further demonstrate that treatment-resistant prostate cancer cells are sensitive to two FINs, erastin and RSL3. Treatment with erastin and RSL3 led to a significant decrease in prostate cancer cell growth and migration in vitro and significantly delayed the tumor growth of treatment-resistant prostate cancer in vivo, with no measurable side effects. Combination of erastin or RSL3 with standard-of-care second-generation antiandrogens for advanced prostate cancer halted prostate cancer cell growth and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. These results demonstrate the potential of erastin or RSL3 independently and in combination with standard-of-care second-generation antiandrogens as novel therapeutic strategies for advanced prostate cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal that induction of ferroptosis is a new therapeutic strategy for advanced prostate cancer as a monotherapy and in combination with second-generation antiandrogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Transport System y+ / metabolism
  • Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Androstenes / pharmacology
  • Androstenes / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / therapeutic use
  • Carbolines / pharmacology*
  • Carbolines / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Ferroptosis / drug effects*
  • Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Nitriles / therapeutic use
  • Phenylthiohydantoin / pharmacology
  • Phenylthiohydantoin / therapeutic use
  • Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Piperazines / pharmacology*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Amino Acid Transport System y+
  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Androstenes
  • Benzamides
  • Carbolines
  • Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain
  • Nitriles
  • Piperazines
  • RSL3 compound
  • SLC3A2 protein, human
  • SLC7A11 protein, human
  • erastin
  • Phenylthiohydantoin
  • enzalutamide
  • Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
  • abiraterone