Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignant tumor of the urinary tract in men, with about one-third of patients diagnosed at the metastatic stage. Metastatic PCa cells often spread to distant lymph nodes and bones. Studies have shown that ADAM metallopeptidase domain 9 (ADAM9) is overexpressed in human malignancies, promoting cancer cell growth and invasiveness. Sesamin, a plant compound extracted from sesame seeds, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects in various studies. This project primarily aims to evaluate whether sesamin can be used as an adjuvant therapy to enhance chemotherapy sensitivity and whether it has therapeutic potential in reducing the malignant progression of prostate cancer by inhibiting ADAM9. The findings from this study may offer new strategies for the clinical treatment of prostate cancer.

Human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145 and PC-3) were obtained from the Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC). Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were conducted to examine specific protein expression and mRNA levels. The resazurin cell survival assay and flow cytometry were used to analyze the survival of PCa cells affected by sesamin. The inhibitory effect of sesamin on tumor growth was studied using subcutaneous tumor models. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of ADAM9 and Ki67 proteins in tumor tissues.

In vitro experiments will demonstrate that sesamin inhibits cell cycle progression, thereby reducing the proliferation of PCa cells. Its potential as an adjuvant therapy will also be evaluated in combination with chemotherapy. ADAM9’s role in prostate cancer invasiveness will be shown to be inhibited by sesamin, with phosphorylation array analysis revealing the signaling pathway molecules involved. In vivo experiments will confirm that sesamin inhibits the distant metastasis of PCa.

This study demonstrates that sesamin can slow the progression of prostate cancer by reducing cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.