Abstract C049: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity promotes cancer progression and drug resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells

Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a nuclear transcription factor, xenobiotic sensor, and has a role in regulating diet-induced obesity. We report constitutive overexpression and activity of AhR promotes progression to androgen independence, proliferation, and mediates drug resistance in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in vitro models. RNAseq analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGS) which may further implicate the role of AhR in prostate cancer progression. Recent evidence demonstrates significant changes in the expression profile of these genes in response to treatment with chemotherapeutics, specifically bromocriptine (Wu et al 2023). We also confirmed AhR inhibits drug-induced apoptosis in C4-2 cells. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing AhR-mediated cancer progression and drug resistance should expand treatment options and improve patient outcomes. Citation Format: Kofi K. Khamit-Kush, Nathan J. Bowen, Jeffrey A. Handy, Joann B. Powell. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity promotes cancer progression and drug resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C049.