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YM155, a Novel Small-Molecule Survivin Suppressant, Induces Regression of Established Human Hormone-Refractory Prostate Tumor Xenografts

Institute for Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Inc., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan

Requests for reprints: Takahito Nakahara, Institute for Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, 305-8585, Japan. Phone: 81-29-863-6576; Fax: 81-29-852-5391; E-mail: takahito.nakahara{at}jp.astellas.com.

Various accumulating evidence suggests that survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family, plays an important role in drug resistance and cancer cell survival in many types of cancer, including hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Here, we characterized YM155, a novel small-molecule survivin suppressant, using a survivin gene promoter activity assay. YM155 suppressed expression of survivin and induced apoptosis in PC-3 and PPC-1 human HRPC cell lines at 10 nmol/L. In contrast, YM155 up to 100 nmol/L showed little effect on expression levels of other IAP- or Bcl-2–related proteins. In a s.c. xenografted PC-3 tumor model in mice, 3-day continuous infusions of YM155 at 3 to 10 mg/kg induced massive tumor regression accompanied by suppression of intratumoral survivin. YM155 also completely inhibited the growth of orthotopically xenografted PC-3 tumors. No significant decreases in body weight were observed in mice treated with YM155 during the experimental period. Pharmacokinetic analyses indicated that YM155 is highly distributed to tumors and at concentrations 20-fold higher than those in plasma. Our findings represent the first attempt to show tumor regression and suppression of survivin in p53-deficient human HRPC cells by a single small molecular compound treatment. Further extensive investigation of YM155 in many types of cancer, including HRPC, seems to be worthwhile to develop this novel therapeutic approach. [Cancer Res 2007;67(17):8014–21]

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