The marine-derived HIF-1α inhibitor, Yardenone 2, reduces prostate cancer cell proliferation by targeting HIF-1 target genes.

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks as the second most prevalent cancer in men, with advanced stages posing significant treatment challenges. Given its solid tumor nature, PCa is highly susceptible to hypoxia, a condition associated with resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, metastasis, and unfavorable patient outcomes. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play a pivotal role in cancer cell adaptation to hypoxic environments, contributing to treatment resistance. Consequently, inhibitors targeting HIFs hold promise for cancer therapy.

Methods: In this study, we aimed to characterize novel HIF-1α inhibitors including Sodwanones A (1), B (2), C (3), G (4) and Yardenone 2 (5) isolated from marine sponges belonging to the Axinella genus. Our investigation evaluated the impact of these compounds on various aspects of HIF-1α regulation, including stabilization, nuclear localization, expression of HIF-1 target genes (while sparing HIF-2 target genes), cellular metabolism, as well as cell proliferation and viability in prostate cells under hypoxic conditions.

Results: Our findings revealed that among the compounds tested, Yardenone 2 exhibited notable effects in hypoxia: it destabilized HIF-1α at the protein level, decreased its nuclear localization, selectively altered the expression of HIF-1 target genes, and restrained cell proliferation in aggressive PC3 prostate cancer cells as well as in an MSK-PCa3 patient-derived organoid line. Moreover, it affected the morphology of these organoid. Yardenone 2 was also compared to Docetaxel, a specific microtubule inhibitor and a drug used in the treatment of prostate cancer. The comparison between the two compounds revealed notable differences, such as a lack of specificity to hypoxic cells of Docetaxel.

Conclusion: These results mark the first demonstration that Yardenone 2 functions as a cytostatic-like inhibitor impacting microtubules, specifically targeting hypoxic cancer cells. This discovery suggests a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions in prostate cancer.