Nintedanib effects on delaying cancer progression and decreasing COX-2 and IL-17 in the prostate anterior lobe in TRAMP mice

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in men around the world. Due to its high incidence, new therapies have been evaluated, including drugs capable of inhibiting the FGF/VEGF pathways, as Nintedanib. The aim herein was to evaluate the Nintedanib therapeutic effects on morphology and COX-2 and IL-17 levels in the prostate anterior lobe in different grades of the tumor progression in TRAMP mice. Animals were treated with Nintedanib at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day in initial and intermediate grades of tumor development. At the end of treatment, the prostate anterior lobe was collected and submitted to morphological, immunohistochemical and Western Blotting analyses. The results showed that Nintedanib delayed the prostate carcinogenesis progression, with over 20% of reduction in frequency of tissue injuries, particularly in the group treated from 12 to 16 weeks of age. Also, decreased COX-2 and IL-17 levels were observed in both groups treated with Nintedanib in the prostate anterior lobe. Thus, we concluded that Nintedanib was effective in delaying tumor progression and, despite not directly acting on inflammation, Nintedanib may adversely affect inflammatory pathways, favoring prostate cancer delay. (AU)