FINASTERIDE DOSE-DEPENDENCY REDUCES THE PROLIFERATION RATE OF THE LNCAP HUMAN PROSTATIC-CANCER CELL-LINE IN-VITRO

Objectives. To assess the effects of finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, and of classic antiandrogens on the growth rate of the LnCa p human prostate carcinoma cell line, derived from a primary and well- differentiated neoplasm.Methods. Cell proliferation experiments in vit ro with and without the antiandrogens cyproterone acetate, hydroxyflut amide, and finasteride in the 0.0001 to 10.0 mu M range. Results. The growth rate of the LnCap cell line can be dose-dependently inhibited b y 5-alpha-reductase inhibition (finasteride) and by antiandrogens (cyp roterone acetate and hydroxyflutamide) in vitro, in defined conditions . Conclusions. Besides other human prostate cell lines derived from me tastatic sites (PC3, DU145), also in the LnCap cell line an autonomous androgen-dependent mechanism of growth stimulation can be hypothesize d, since testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are unable to stimulate the cell proliferation rate at the same molar concentrations. The clin ical implications of these results in prostate cancer therapy and the possible future use of these molecules in the prevention of cancer inc idence are discussed.