The KDM5 inhibitor PBIT reduces proliferation of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells via cell cycle arrest and the induction of senescence

The compound 2–4(4-methylphenyl)-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (PBIT) is an inhibitor of the KDM5 family of lysine-specific histone demethylases that has been suggested as a lead compound for cancer therapy. The goal of this study was to explore the effects of PBIT within human prostate cancers. Micromolar concentrations of PBIT altered proliferation of castration-sensitive LNCaP and castration-resistant C4–2B, LNCaP-MDV3100 and PC-3 human prostate cancer cell lines. We then characterized the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effects of PBIT within the C4–2B and PC-3 cell lines. Data from Cell Death ELISAs suggest that PBIT does not induce apoptosis within C4–2B or PC-3 cells. However, PBIT did increase the amount of senescence associated beta-galactosidase. PBIT also altered cell cycle progression and increased protein levels of the cell cycle protein p21. PC-3 and C4–2B cells express varying amounts of KDM5A, KDM5B, and KDM5C, the therapeutic targets of PBIT. siRNA-mediated knockdown studies suggest that inhibition of multiple KDM5 isoforms contribute to the anti-proliferative effect of PBIT. Furthermore, combination treatments involving PBIT and the PPARγ agonist 15-deoxy-Δ-12, 14 -prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ₂) also reduced PC-3 cell proliferation. Together, these data strongly suggest that PBIT significantly reduces the proliferation of prostate cancers via a mechanism that involves cell cycle arrest and senescence.