OBJECTIVETo study the effects of an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, terazosin on the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145.

METHODSTwo androgen independent cell lines, PC-3 and DU145, were used to determine cell viability, colony-forming ability, as well as cell cycle distribution, after exposure to terazosin. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of p21WAF1 and p27KIP1.

RESULTSThis study shows that terazosin inhibits not only prostate cancer cell growth but also its colony forming ability, both of which are main targets of clinical treatment. In addition, terazosin is shown to inhibit cell growth through G1 phase cell cycle arrest and the up-regulation of p27(KIP1).

CONCLUSIONThis study provides evidence that the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Male ; Prazosin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured