Estramustine phosphate induces prostate cancer cell line PC3 apoptosis by down-regulating miR-31 levels.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer seriously threats to patient's life and health. Estramustine phosphate (EP) is one of the most important drugs in the clinical treatment of prostate cancer. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism of estramustine phosphate in regulating PC3 cell growth and survive through mediating miR-31.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Estramustine phosphate was used to treat prostate cancer cell line PC3. Flow cytometry was applied to detect PC3 cell growth and apoptosis. RT-PCR was performed to test miR-31 level. Prostate cancer tissue and paracarcinoma tissue were collected to test miR-31 level. PC3 cells were transfected with miR-31 or control microRNA by lipofectamine, and followed treated by estramustine phosphate.
RESULTS: PC3 cell appeared growth restrain and apoptosis after treated by estramustine phosphate. MiR-31 level decreased after estramustine phosphate treatment. Prostate cancer tissue presented higher miR-31 level than paracarcinoma tissue. MiR-31 over-expression inhibited estramustine phosphate induced PC3 cell apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Estramustine phosphate induces prostate cancer cell line PC3 apoptosis through reducing miR-31.