Abstract Background: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men. Recent investigations by the Turner group have implicated advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in prostate tumor progression through their interaction with the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). AGE-RAGE signaling promotes inflammation, cell proliferation, migration, and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment, thereby supporting tumor growth. Additionally, our lab has shown that African American prostate cancer serum and tissue exhibit higher AGE levels than Caucasian serum and tissue samples. This disparity may stem from diets high in sugars, fats, and processed foods - key sources of AGEs. These findings link AGE biology to social drivers of health and disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. Aims: This study examines how AGE-RAGE signaling influences CAF activation and tumor cell behavior, specifically whether AGE treatment of fibroblasts enhances the migration of tumor epithelial cells. We hypothesize that AGE treatment increases fibroblast-driven migration via RAGE, supporting the connection between AGE accumulation and cancer aggressiveness. Methods: Prostate cancer tissue samples (DPT18) were enzymatically processed to establish matched epithelial and fibroblast cell lines. These lines were characterized through histopathological analysis via H 2026 Jan 20-22; Philadelphia PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86 (2Suppl): Abstract nr B067.
Senthil et al. (Tue,) studied this question.