Androgen Regulation of Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide Production in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

PTHrP is the major pathogenetic factor for hypercalcemia in several malignancies including prostate cancer. In the current study, we have assessed the ability of androgens to regulate PTHrP production in androgen-insensitive human prostate cancer cells PC-3 and cells transfected with androgen receptor (PC-3T). Androgen responsiveness caused a marked decrease in PC-3T cell growth, and treatment of these cells with dihydrotestosterone led to inhibition of PTHrP production. These inhibitory effects were readily reversed by androgen receptor antagonist flutamide. To determine the effect of androgens on tumor growth and PTHrP production in vivo, PC-3 and PC-3T cells were injected into the right flank of male BALB/c nu/nu mice. Animals inoculated with PC-3 and PC-3T cells developed palpable tumors at wk 2 and 4, respectively. Inoculation of PC-3T cells into castrated animals resulted in rapid tumor growth in PC-3T tumors, effects that were reversed in PC-3T tumors grown in castrated hosts. Using PTHrP promoter luciferase reporter, a 30% decrease in luciferase activity was seen following treatment with dihydrotestosterone. These results indicate that PC-3 cell growth correlates inversely with androgen sensitivity and directly with PTHrP production in vitro and in vivo, androgens can regulate PTHrP production, and the androgen effect on PTHrP is mediated at least in part by transcriptional regulation via the androgen receptor.