Background/aim: Androgens are known to play a critical role in prostate cancer progression, but their effect on malignant phenotypes in salivary gland cancer is unclear. The androgen-androgen receptor (AR) axis may be involved in malignant phenotypes of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) cells and therefore may be a new target for SDC treatment. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of the androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of SDC cells.
Materials and methods: We used a wound-healing assay to measure cell migration and a Boyden chamber invasion assay to investigate SDC cell invasive capacity.
Results: DHT treatment increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, treatment with flutamide, an AR inhibitor, blocked the effects of DHT.
Conclusion: These results suggest that the androgen-AR axis is involved in SDC malignancy and may be an effective therapeutic target for treatment of human SDC.
Keywords: Androgen; cell migration; invasion; salivary duct carcinoma; steroid hormone receptors.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.