Purpose: To investigate antiproliferative effects of simvastatin in combination with ionizing radiation on DU145 prostate cancer cells and its influence on cellular HMG-CoA-reductase levels.
Methods: Proliferative responses of DU145 cells were estimated by means of a clonogenic assay or the crystal violet procedure. HMG-CoA-reductase levels were measured by western blot analysis.
Results: The antiproliferative effects of simvastatin and radiation are dependent on simvastatin dose, radiation dose and treatment time. In vitro treatment of DU145 cells with simvastatin induced HMG-CoA-reductase levels.
Conclusion: Ionizing radiation more profoundly reduces proliferation as compared to simvastatin exposure, while the combined application of both modalities is synergistic. The inhibition of CoA-reductase may contribute to these effects.
Keywords: DU145; HMG-CoA-reductase; Prostate cancer; Radiosensitivity; Simvastatin.
© 2022. The Author(s).