Effects of Docetaxel and Abiraterone Acetate on Nrf2 Expression in Androgen-Sensitive and Androgen-Insensitive Prostate Cancer Cells

Purpose: Docetaxel and Abiraterone acetate are the drugs of choice, especially for cases of prostate cancer that are insensitive to androgen deprivation therapy. Nrf2, which has antioxidative properties in normal cells, also protects cancer cells from apoptosis, causing the cells to be unresponsive to treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Docetaxel and Abiraterone acetate administration to human prostate cancer cells on Nrf2 expression in vitro. Materials and Methods: Two different prostate cancer cell lines were used: androgen-responsive and non-androgen-responsive. 4 groups were formed as control, AA (Abiraterone Acetate), DTX (Docetaxel), and AA+DTX. Cells were cultured with abiraterone acetate and Docetaxel for 72 hours. Then, Nrf2 expression changes were examined by immunofluorescence and Western blot methods. Results: In LNCaP cells, Nrf2 was decreased in DTX and DTX+AA groups compared to the control and AA groups. Nrf2 was the same between Control and AA groups. In PC3 cells, Nrf2 was higher in AA and AA+DTX groups compared to Control and DTX groups. Nrf2 expressions of the Control and DTX groups were similar. Conclusion: Expression changes of Nrf2 protein were observed in both cell lines. It has been predicted that Docetaxel may increase chemotherapeutic efficacy by suppressing Nrf2 expression in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells and may reduce mortality rates in cancer patients. In androgen-insensitive cells, it has been predicted that Abiraterone acetate application may increase Nrf2 expression and decrease the effectiveness of treatment by developing resistance to drugs.