Prostate Cancer in a Patient with Giant Prostatic Hyperplasia: The Robotic Approach to a Difficult Problem

SQLE Mediates Metabolic Reprogramming to Promote LN Metastasis in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Background

Almost all metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancers (mHSPC) will develop into metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The expression level of squalene monooxygenase (SQLE) is increased in CRPC cells and regulates cholesterol metabolism. This study verified the biological function and mechanisms of SQLE in CRPC.

Methods

The expression of SQLE in human prostate cancer cells was overexpressed or silenced and its efficacy on cell survival was determined by the MTS test. Energy metabolism phenotype test was evaluated by XF real-time ATP rate assay, XF cell mitochondrial stress test, XF glycolysis stress test and XF mito fuel flex test. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by colony formation assays and transwell assays; the expression of mRNA and protein was assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Moreover, BALB/c nude mice model was performed to evaluate the lymph node metastasis.

Results

In our study, we found that the expression level of SQLE was significantly increased in bicalutamide-resistant-C4-2B cells compared to LNCaP cells. SQLE knockdown partly restored the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to bicalutamide and reduced lymph node metastasis by inhibiting fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria. We also found that terbinafine, the specific inhibitor of SQLE, can enhance the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to bicalutamide.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that SQLE is involved in the progression of castration resistance in CRPC through mediating metabolic reprogramming, presenting SQLE as a new target for the treatment of mCRPC.

Robotic approach to Giant multiloculated cystadenoma of the prostate: Initial experience

Giant multiloculated cystadenoma of the prostate (GMPC) is a rare, massive and benign tumor. Recurrence rates after resection are low but have been recorded. An open approach is most common, with few laparoscopic and no robotic cases reported. We report on a case of a 65-year-old man with a new presentation of a 400 cc cystic prostatic mass thought to be GMPC. This patient underwent what is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of RARP in the treatment of GMPC. A robotic approach to massive GMPC was safe and efficacious in our initial experience.