SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibits growth of prostate cancer: a potential role of the COVID-19 vaccine killing two birds with one stone.
Med Oncol
; 39(3): 32, 2022 Jan 20.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1633699
ABSTRACT
To investigate the effects of isolated SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on prostate cancer cell survival. The effects of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on LNCaP prostate cancer cell survival were assessed using clonogenic cell survival assay, quick cell proliferation assay, and caspase-3 activity kits. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to investigate underlying molecular mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was found to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation as well as promote apoptosis. Further investigation revealed that anti-proliferative effects were associated with downregulation of the pro-proliferative molecule cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). The increased rate of apoptosis was associated with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic molecule Fas ligand (FasL). SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibits the growth of LNCaP prostate cancer cells in vitro by a two-pronged approach of downregulating the expression of CDK4 and upregulating FasL. The introduction of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into the body via COVID-19 vaccination may have the potential to inhibit prostate cancer in patients. This potential beneficial association between COVID-19 vaccines and prostate cancer inhibition will require more extensive studies before any conclusions can be drawn about any in vivo effects in a human model.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Prostatic Neoplasms
/
Cell Proliferation
/
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
/
COVID-19 Vaccines
/
SARS-CoV-2
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Oncol
Journal subject:
Neoplasms
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S12032-021-01628-1
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