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A virus (rNDV) targets and kills prostate cancer cells of all varieties while leaving normal cells unharmed, according to a multiinstitutional study published in the Journal of Virology. The oncolytic NDV, which is deadly in chickens but safe in humans, would allow patients to avoid the adverse side effects of chemotherapy and hormonal treatments for prostate cancer. Even when cancer patients participating in clinical trials received extremely large doses, only mild flu-like symptoms resulted. Although early trials yielded positive outcomes, ReComBINANT NeWCASTle DISeASe the virus failed to reach solid tumors in sufficient therapeutic concentration. It also spread poorly within the tumors. Researchers have since modified NDV's fusion protein so it could be cleaved only by prostate-specific antigen. This retargeting process enhanced both the effectiveness and efficiency of NDV in destroying prostate cancer cells, including hormone-resistant cells. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one in 36 will die of it. ■ Molecules Help Visualize Prostate Cancer T Wo NoVel , RADIolABeleD small molecules — I-MIP1072 and I-MIP-1095 — may enhance doctors' ability to accurately v isua lize a nd treat prost ate ca ncer, according to research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Scientists conducted a pair of separate studies as part of Phase I trials. In the first study, prostate cancer patients received doses of I-MIP-1072 and I-MIP-1095 two weeks apart. In the second study, healthy volunteers were given I-MIP-1072 only. special clinical secTion: meN'S heAlTh Virus Kills Prostate Cancer Whole-body planar imaging and singlephoton emission CT were performed on each group to analyze tissue distribution, pharmacokinetics, excretion, organ radiation and safety. Within one to four hours, both imaging agents — which induced no side effects in patients and volunteers — showed lesions in soft tissue, bone and the prostate gland. Both agents cleared the blood in a biphasic way, but I-MIP-1072 did so at a rate five times faster. I-MIP-1072 has since been further evaluated as a diagnostic agent, while I-MIP-1095 will be evaluated for radiotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer as the I-labeled analog. ■ How To MAkE RESiSTANT TUMoRS Accept Hormone Treatment S C I e N T I S T S AT S A N F o R D - Medical Research Institute have reportedly discovered what makes prostate cancer cells resist hormone therapy. According to their study, which was published in Cancer Cell, the culprit is a protein called Siah2. In many cases, hormonal treatment BuRNhAm eventually stops working in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The cancer cells become androgen-insensitive (or castration-resistant). This is because Siah2 levels are high, and Siah2 keeps a fraction of the androgen receptors active. Receptors need to be inactive to receive and respond to hormone therapy. An inhibitor called NCoR1 usually keeps androgen receptors working properly, but in castration-resistant prostate tumors, Siah2 degrades the NCoR1 receptor complex. Using three different animal models, researchers inhibited Siah2 in castration-resistant tumors, and each case resulted in the tumors once again responding to hormone therapy. ■ mDNeWS.Com ■ MD News Mid Hudson | 17