Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed solid
tumors in United States men. Survival with advanced
prostate cancer is dismal because of a lack of effective treatments. Overexpression of
interleukin 4 receptors (IL-4R) on prostate
carcinoma cells makes them suitable targets for the
interleukin 4 (IL-4) fused Pseudomonas
exotoxin,
IL-4 cytotoxin (IL4-CTx).
Androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and -independent (DU145) human
prostate cancer cell lines overexpress IL-4Rs and are exquisitely sensitive to IL4-CTx. Using LNCaP and DU145 cell lines, IC(50) values of 4.5 +/- 2.0 and 6.5 +/- 0.5 ng/ml, respectively, were obtained for IL4-CTx in
protein synthesis inhibition assays. Primary cultures established from prostate
tumor biopsies were equally sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of IL4-CTx. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis, although not quantitative, indicated the presence of
mRNA for IL-4Ralpha, a primary subunit of the IL-4R receptor complex in prostate
carcinoma cell lines, primary cultures,
benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate
carcinoma tissues. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed the presence of IL-4R in
benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate
carcinomas. Five daily (QD)
injections of IL4-CTx (100 micro g/kg) administered i.v., i.p., or intratumoral (i.t.) caused several complete responses in nude mice with s.c. DU145 and LNCaP
tumors. i.t.
injections of IL4-CTx elicited
tumor regression in a dose-dependent manner with complete responses occurring in 100% of the animals when treated with IL4-CTx (500 micro g/kg) given five QD
injections. Administration of IL4-CTx i.t. (500 micro g/kg) either 10 times QD or six
injections on alternate days elicited complete responses in 40% of mice with DU145
tumors that were three times larger (67 mm(2)) on initiation of treatments. IL4-CTx appeared to be well tolerated. On the basis of these results, combining i.t.
injections of IL4-CTx with systemic administration may provide an effective strategy for treating patients with advanced, refractory
prostate cancer.