EPI-001 blocks transactivation of the AR NTD, interacts with the AF-1 region, inhibits protein-protein interactions with AR, and reduces AR interaction with androgen-response elements on target genes. In LNCaP cells, EPI-001 inhibits both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent (OCM-induced) cell proliferation. In LNCaP cells, EPI-001 also acts as a PPAR-gamma modulator to result in inhibition of androgen receptor expression and activity, which inhibits prostate cancer growth.
In vivo
In male mice bearing CRPC LNCaP s.c. xenografts, EPI-001 (50 mg/kg, i.v.) blocks the androgen-axis and inhibits androgen-dependent tumor growth by reducing proliferation and increasing apoptosis.