Expression of prostate stem cell antigen is downregulated during flavonoid-induced cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells

Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is expressed in the majority of prostate cancer cases and may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of prostate cancer. The present study evaluated the cytotoxicity of three flavonoids (genistein, luteolin and quercetin) towards DU145 prostate cancer cells, and investigated the effect of these flavonoids on PSCA expression. The results demonstrated that genistein, luteolin and quercetin inhibited the growth of DU145 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) and induced morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis in DU145 cells. Flow cytometry analysis also indicated that the flavonoids induced S phase cycle arrest in DU145 cells. Notably, it was observed that expression of PSCA was inhibited at the mRNA (P<0.05) and protein levels in DU145 cells following flavonoid treatment compared with the control. These results suggest that flavonoids may be potential therapeutic agents in the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.