ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF CYCLOCREATINE ON HUMAN PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA CELLS

Creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes and their substrates have an important function in cellular energy generation. and utilization. The brain isoform (CK-BB) has been implicated in cellular transformati on processes involving the oncogenic products of the Ela virus and the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Cyclocreatine, an analogue of creatine, ha s been previously shown to inhibit the growth of a broad spectrum of c ancer cells derived from solid tumors. Results reported herein indicat e an increased level of creatine kinase activity in human prostate car cinoma cell lines and inhibitory effects of cyclocreatine alone and in combination with adriamycin on the growth of these cells in vitro and in vivo, in immune-deprived mice. Our results suggest the possible us e of cyclocreatine in the treatment of prostatic carcinoma.