Blockade of Androgen-induced Malignant Phenotypes by Flutamide Administration in Human Salivary Duct Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Androgens are known to play a critical role in prostate cancer progression, but their effect on malignant phenotypes in salivary gland cancer is unclear. The androgen-androgen receptor (AR) axis may be involved in malignant phenotypes of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) cells and therefore may be a new target for SDC treatment. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of the androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of SDC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a wound-healing assay to measure cell migration and a Boyden chamber invasion assay to investigate SDC cell invasive capacity. RESULTS: DHT treatment increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, treatment with flutamide, an AR inhibitor, blocked the effects of DHT. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the androgen-AR axis is involved in SDC malignancy and may be an effective therapeutic target for treatment of human SDC.