Loss of PTEN is associated with progression to androgen independence

BACKGROUND. Progression to a lethal androgen-independent (AI) stage of advanced prostate cancer is a critical clinical obstacle limiting patient survival. PTEN inactivation is frequently observed in advanced prostate cancer and correlates with a poor prognosis. However, the functional significance of PTEN inactivation in AI progression has not been demonstrated. METHODS. PTEN expression was examined in benign, hormone naive and AI human prostate cancer specimens, and in recurrent AI Shionogi tumors. The effect of antisense oligonucleoticle (ASO)-mediated PTEN downregulation in AI progression of the Shionogi tumor model was determined. RESULTS. Significantly reduced PTEN expression was observed in AI versus benign and hormone naive prostate tumors. Seven of 14 AI Shionogi tumors exhibited marked downregulation or complete loss of PTEN. ASO-mediated PTEN inhibition reduced androgen-withdrawal induced regression of Shionogi tumors and accelerated AI progression. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest that PTEN inactivation may play a role in progression to androgen independence.