Adaptive and non-adaptive gene expression changes in prostate cancer during androgen deprivation

In this study long-term cell cultures were used to model castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and to understand the cellular mechanisms leading to CRPC. Study included a testosterone-dependent cell line (VCaP-T) and more antiandrogen resistant and AR upregulating cell line adapted to grow in low testosterone (VCaP-CT). They were used uncover persistent and adaptive responses to testosterone level. RNA was sequenced to study AR-regulated genes. To evaluate their significance for CRPC growth, we compared which of them were adaptive i.e., restored expression level in VCaP-CT. The goal was to identify novel risk genes that could be possibly used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in the future. Altogether 12 samples were sequenced including 3 replicates from each VCaP-T 10nM T, VCaP-T treated with 0.1 nM T for 48h, VCaP-CT 0.1nM T and VCaP-CT treated with 10 nM T for 48h.