Abstract
Little is known about the redox-adapted cancer cells for understanding their pharmacologically targetable features and chemotherapeutic responses. Thus, we present the first in vitro redox adaptation model for metastatic prostate cancer (mPC), LNCaP-hydrogen peroxide resistant (LNCaP-HPR), with enhanced oxidative stress resistance accompanying poor Cabazitaxel response. After establishing, the cells were characterized by comparing the viability, death, oxidative stress, total glutathione (GSH) levels and the mRNA and protein levels of the redox-sensitive transcription factors responsible for the adaptation, Nrf-2, NF-κB and HIF-1α. Then, the apoptotic effect of Cabazitaxel was evaluated in LNCaP mPC, LNCaP-HPR and C4-2 metastatic castration-resistant (mCRPC) cells. In response to H2 O2 , viability, oxidative stress and the total GSH levels of LNCaP-HPR cells have confirmed the oxidative stress resistance. Nrf-2, NF-κB and HIF-1α were upregulated in LNCaP-HPR cells, not in LNCaP, confirming that resistant cells were much less affected by exogenous oxidative stress. Unlike LNCaP, LNCaP-HPR cells were less sensitive to Cabazitaxel, as closer to the response of C4-2 mCRPC cells, indicating that redox adaptation decreased Cabazitaxel response. This is the first evaluated association between redox adaptation and poor Cabazitaxel response, suggesting that in vitro Cabazitaxel efficiency is affected by PC cells' endogenous oxidative stress tolerance.