Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ is a potent target for prevention and treatment in human prostate and testicular cancer

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR)-γ is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor belonging to steroid receptor superfamily. PPAR-γ plays a role in both adipocyte differentiation and tumorigenesis. Up to date, PPAR-γ is expressed in various cancer tissues, and PPAR-γ ligand induces growth arrest of these cancer cells. In this study, we examined the expression of PPAR-γ in prostate cancer (PC) and testicular cancer (TC) by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and we also examined the effect of PPAR-γ ligand in these cells by MTT assay, hoechest staining, and flow cytometry. PPAR-γ expression was significantly more extensive and intense in malignant tissues than in normal tissues. PPAR-γ ligand induced the reduction of malignant cell viability through apoptosis. These results demonstrated that the generated PPAR-γ in PC and TC cells might play an important role in the tumorigenesis. PPAR-γ may become a new target in the treatment of PC and TC. Copyright © 2008 M. Matsuyama and R. Yoshimura.