Epigenetic profiling identifies markers of endocrine resistance and therapeutic options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Authors | |
Keywords | |
Abstract | Androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors, including enzalutamide, are treatment options for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but resistance inevitably develops. Using metastatic samples from a prospective phase 2 clinical trial, we epigenetically profile enhancer/promoter activities with acetylation of lysine residue 27 on histone 3 (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing, before and after AR-targeted therapy. We identify a distinct subset of H3K27ac-differentially marked regions that are associated with treatment responsiveness, which we successfully validate in mCRPC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. In silico analyses reveal histone deacetylase (HDAC)3 to critically drive resistance to hormonal interventions, which we validate in vitro. Critically, we identify the pan-HDAC inhibitor vorinostat to be effective in decreasing tumor cell proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we uncover evidence for HDAC3 working together with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as a potential mechanism for this therapeutic effect. These findings demonstrate the rationale for therapeutic strategies including HDAC inhibitors to improve patient outcome in advanced stages of mCRPC. |
Year of Publication | 2025
|
Journal | Cell reports. Medicine
|
Volume | 6
|
Issue | 7
|
Pages | 102215
|
Date Published | 07/2025
|
ISSN | 2666-3791
|
DOI | 10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102215
|
PubMed ID | 40609538
|
Links |