2-methoxyestradiol induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer

Few therapeutic treatment options are available for patients suffering from metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer. We investigated the abili ty of the estrogen metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol to inhibit the proliferati on of a variety of human prostate cancer cell lines in vitro and to inhibit the growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer in a transgenic mouse m odel in vivo. Our results showed that 2-methoxyestradiol is a powerful grow th inhibitor of LNCaP, DU 145, PC-3, and ALVA-31 prostate cancer cells. Cel l flow cytometry of 2-methoxyestradiol-treated DU 145 cells showed a marked accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and an increase in the sub-GI fraction (apoptotic). In addition, staining for annexin V, ch anges in nuclear morphology, and inhibition of caspase activity support a r ole for apoptosis. More importantly, we showed that 2-methoxyestradiol inhi bits prostate tumor progression in the G gamma /T-15 transgenic mouse model of androgen-independent prostate cancer without toxic side effects. These results in cell culture and an animal model support investigations into the clinical use of 2-methoxyestradiol in patients with androgen-independent p rostate cancer. (C) 2001 Academic Press.