Proliferation-independent programmed cell death as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer

CANCER CELLS can undergo a process of self-induced destruction termed programmed cell death, or apoptosis, which involves a cascade of biochemical and morphologic changes resulting in their death. In patients with metastatic prostate cancer, androgen ablation induces programmed cell death of the androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells, producing an initial clinical response. Ablation does not induce programmed cell death in androgen- independent cells, however, and continuing growth of these cells eventually produces relapse. Programmed cell death can be induced in androgen- independent prostate cancer cells by agents that sustain a twofold to three- fold elevation in the intracellular free calcium level. Such induction does not require these cells to proliferate; thus, programmed cell death is an appropriate therapeutic target for the elimination of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.