Androgen receptor-mediated growth and epidermal growth factor receptor induction in the human prostate cell line LNCaP.

Human prostate tumor cells, LNCaP, contain androgen receptors and respond to androgens with increased growth rate. Although other steroid hormone receptors are not detectable in LNCaP cells, progesterone and estradiol stimulate the growth of these cells. The androgen receptor shows considerable cross binding activity with progesterone and estradiol but not with the glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide. The latter steroid does not have any effect on cell proliferation. LNCaP cells respond to epidermal growth factor (EGF) with an increased growth rate. Steroids that stimulate LNCaP cell proliferation also increase the number of EGF receptors per cell. In conclusion, LNCaP cells are sensitive to EGF. Different steroids bind to the androgen receptor and stimulate the proliferation of human prostate tumor cells. This stimulation of growth is preceded by an increase in EGF receptor number per cell.