SIU 2017: Role of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone on Prostate Cancer

Lisbon, Portugal (UroToday.com) The involvement of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its receptors in several relevant processes that contribute to prostate cancer progression has been described. However, the role of such a neuropeptide on cell transformation through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is still unknown. In this study the authors aimed to compare the expression of GHRH receptors (pCHRH-R) and their splice variants (SVs) as well as to study the carcinogenic potential of GHRH on human prostate cells.

The authors used the non-malignant human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-1. The expression of GHRH receptors (GHRH-R) and their splice variants (SVs) was evaluated by Western blot analysis and Immunocytochemistry. In order to assess the effect of the neuropeptide on tumorigenic capability, the authors exposed some of the non-tumour cells to 0.1 mM GHRH for 24 h. Then, cells were injected subcutaneously into the flank of nude mice. Animals were divided into two groups: control group (ten mice) and GHRH group (eight mice). Tumour volume was assessed every week.

Higher expression levels of pCHRH were detected in RWPE-1 when compared with levels of SVs. Tumour masses were evident in seven of the eight mice injected with RWPE-1 cells exposed to GHRH.

In conclusion, GHRH acts as a proliferative agent in RWPE-1 cell transformation conceivably through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), reinforcing GHRH role in prostate tumorigenesis.

Presented by: Sanchis-Bonet A

Written by: Hanan Goldberg, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow (SUO), University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.Twitter: @GoldbergHanan at the 37th Congress of Société Internationale d’Urologie - October 19-22, 2017- Lisbon, Portugal

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