Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) antler stem cell culture medium inhibits prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer in men, but today the prognosis of local cancer and its metastasis has improved markedly owing to multiple treatment options. In therapy, various molecular entities that induce the reversion of malignancy with the restoration of mature cells of the same histological lineage are still under development. The antler of the red deer is a large and easily available source of stem cells, rich in products with promising applications in cancer treatments. Here, for the first time, antler stem cell culture medium was used for the treatment of prostate cancer cells in vitro to determine the cellular and molecular effects. Our data revealed that antler stem cell culture medium promotes pronounced changes in the expression of the vaspin receptor GRP78, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), androgen receptor (AR), leptin, vaspin, and SRC and AKT kinase signaling pathways (connected with autophagy and cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis induction). Moreover, the inhibition of cell migration was also revealed. These results indicate useful properties of red deer antler stem cell culture medium that can control molecular and cellular mechanisms that halt carcinogenesis. All these can be considered targets for further cancer stem cell treatment or cancer diagnostic improvements.