Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Post-doc
Academic Level (Author 1)
Post-doc
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 2)
Post-doc
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Faculty
Academic Level (Author 5)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 5)
Immunology and Microbiology
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men, with approximately 299,010 new cases and 35,250 deaths projected in the United States in 2024. Despite advances in therapeutic options, including radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biologics, significant long-term side effects challenge patient quality of life. Repurposing FDA-approved antifungal agents offers a novel approach to overcoming these limitations and can serve as a source of potential therapeutics against prostate cancer.
Methods: This study evaluated the anticancer potential of antifungal drugs, such as natamycin, terbinafine, ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and miconazole, against prostate cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity, colony formation, invasion, and migration assays were conducted to identify the most effective compound. The anticancer activity was assessed using confocal, scanning electron microscopy, and Western blotting. Gene expression profiling was performed by 3`m-RNA sequencing to investigate molecular pathways involved in apoptosis and stress responses.
Results: Miconazole exhibited the most potent cytotoxic and clonogenic effects among the tested antifungal drugs on prostate cancer cell lines. A significant attenuation of cell migration and invasion was observed at 30 µM. Treatment-induced apoptosis was also evidenced by PARP cleavage and nuclear fragmentation. Ultrastructural morphology of cell images also revealed remarkable changes consistent with apoptosis features. The gene expression analysis demonstrated significantly upregulated key tumor suppressor or apoptotic genes and downregulated oncogenes, induced apoptosis, and ER stress in prostate cancer cell lines.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that miconazole exhibited the most anticancer potential against prostate cancer cells among the tested FDA-approved antifungal agents. While miconazole has been utilized clinically as an antifungal medication, its potential as a repurposed therapeutic agent for prostate cancer is a novel avenue and warrants further comprehensive investigation.
Recommended Citation
Ghali, Eswara NHK; Tiwari, Rahul; Chang, Ryan Jisoo; Jung, Sung Yun; Kashyap, Vivek Kumar; Dhasmana, Anupam; Chauhan, Neeraj; Chauhan, Subhash; and Yallapu, Murali, "Antifungal Drugs as Emerging Candidates for Prostate Cancer Treatment" (2025). Research Symposium. 65.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/65
Included in
Antifungal Drugs as Emerging Candidates for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Background: Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men, with approximately 299,010 new cases and 35,250 deaths projected in the United States in 2024. Despite advances in therapeutic options, including radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biologics, significant long-term side effects challenge patient quality of life. Repurposing FDA-approved antifungal agents offers a novel approach to overcoming these limitations and can serve as a source of potential therapeutics against prostate cancer.
Methods: This study evaluated the anticancer potential of antifungal drugs, such as natamycin, terbinafine, ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and miconazole, against prostate cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity, colony formation, invasion, and migration assays were conducted to identify the most effective compound. The anticancer activity was assessed using confocal, scanning electron microscopy, and Western blotting. Gene expression profiling was performed by 3`m-RNA sequencing to investigate molecular pathways involved in apoptosis and stress responses.
Results: Miconazole exhibited the most potent cytotoxic and clonogenic effects among the tested antifungal drugs on prostate cancer cell lines. A significant attenuation of cell migration and invasion was observed at 30 µM. Treatment-induced apoptosis was also evidenced by PARP cleavage and nuclear fragmentation. Ultrastructural morphology of cell images also revealed remarkable changes consistent with apoptosis features. The gene expression analysis demonstrated significantly upregulated key tumor suppressor or apoptotic genes and downregulated oncogenes, induced apoptosis, and ER stress in prostate cancer cell lines.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that miconazole exhibited the most anticancer potential against prostate cancer cells among the tested FDA-approved antifungal agents. While miconazole has been utilized clinically as an antifungal medication, its potential as a repurposed therapeutic agent for prostate cancer is a novel avenue and warrants further comprehensive investigation.
