Differential androgen modulation of AXC/SSh rat prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro and its antagonism by antiandrogen.

We examined androgen modulation of proliferation of clonally derived AXC/SSh rat prostate cancer cells. C-family cells were maintained on medium without addition of androgens. D-family cells were maintained on medium containing 10(-7) M 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and T-family cells were maintained on medium containing 10(-7) M testosterone. Proliferation of all AXC/SSh prostate cancer cell lines during propagation on media containing fetal bovine serum was not altered by changes in media testosterone concentration through the range 10(-6) to 10(-9) M. Similarly, proliferation of C- or D-family cell lines, during propagation on media containing steroid depleted, charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum, was not altered by changes in media testosterone concentration through the range 10(-6) to 10(-9) M. By contrast, proliferation of T-family cell lines during propagation on charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum was modulated by androgens; effects were androgen concentration dependent and maximum at 10(-8) to 10(-7) M. Androgens decreased T5 cell proliferation rate and diminished achievable saturation density, whereas T1 cell proliferation rate was increased by androgens. In contrast, T6 cell proliferation rate was unaffected by androgens; however, saturation density was increased. Effects were antagonized by the antiandrogen RU 23908, Anandron, establishing androgen specificity of testosterone or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone mediated changes in proliferation.