Abstract LB-176: The human androgen receptor regulates DNA damage response (DDR) in prostate cancer

Abstract Clinical studies have shown the improved benefit of combining androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with radiotherapy, indicating a potential interaction between the androgen signalling and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways in PCa. We have explored the underlying basis of this interaction by interrogating the mechanism of androgen regulation of the DDR in men with PCa, both untreated and treated with an androgen inhibitor. We show that androgen receptor (AR) signalling regulates the DDR and promotes DDR foci formation leading to ATM activation in PCa. Our data showing that AR regulates DDR provides an explanation for the improved outcome of combined ADT and radiotherapy. Thus, our work identifies the rationale for targeting both the AR and DDR pathways simultaneously to improve therapy outcome in advanced or high risk prostate cancer. Citation Format: Mohammad Asim, Heather Zecchini, Firas Tarish, Charlie Massie, Ajoeb Baridi, Anne Warren, Wanfeng Zhao, Leigh-Anne McDuffus, Patrice Mascalchi, Greg Shaw, Harveer Dev, Karan Wadhwa, Paul Wijnhoven, Josep Forment, Scott Lyons, Andy Lynch, Cormac O’Neill, Vincent Zecchini, Paul Rennie, Aria Baniahmad, Simon Tavare, Ian Mills, Niklas Schulz, Yaron Galanty, Thomas Helleday, David Neal. The human androgen receptor regulates DNA damage response (DDR) in prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-176.