Abstract A12: Androgen receptor inhibition is involved in Finasteride-reduced AML cell proliferation

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a top priority type of hematological malignancies to be studied and treated. Androgen receptor (AR) plays important roles in various cancers, such as types of the prostate, breast, liver, and lung. However, the role of AR in leukemia is so far uncertain. Finasteride is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor for reduction of cellular 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone production and commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia for decades. Here, the data showed that Finasteride treatment significantly decreased the proliferation of AML cell lines, including KG-1 and HL-60. More specific to its impact on androgen’s actions, the authors found that Finasteride inhibited the phosphorylation and activation of AR, while the cell cycle-related proteins such as CDK1, Cyclin A, and p21 were unaffected. Interestingly, the increase of AKT phosphorylation was observed after Finasteride treatment, which is correspondent to the previous findings of mutual correlations between AR inhibition and AKT activation in prostate cancer cells. It implies that AR might play a physiological role in AML cells for proliferation, in which AR closely collaborates with AKT for a balance of regulation. In summary, these results suggest that Finasteride might reduce the proliferation of AML cell lines through AR inhibition. These findings could be helpful to uncover novel AML treatments in the future. Citation Format: Pang-Ting Cheng, Chieh-Lin Jerry Teng, Yu-Chiao Cheng, Mei-Chih Chen, Ho Lin. Androgen receptor inhibition is involved in Finasteride-reduced AML cell proliferation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome; 2023 Jan 23-25; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2023;4(3_Suppl):Abstract nr A12.