Androgen Receptor Inhibition Is Involved in Finasteride-Reduced AML Cell Proliferation

The study investigates the role of androgen receptor (AR) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the effects of Finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on AML cell proliferation. The results show that Finasteride significantly reduces the proliferation of AML cell lines KG-1 and HL-60 by inhibiting AR phosphorylation and activation, while not affecting cell cycle-related proteins like CDK1, Cyclin A, and p21. Additionally, an increase in AKT phosphorylation was observed, suggesting a collaborative role between AR and AKT in AML cell proliferation. These findings indicate that Finasteride could potentially be used to develop new treatments for AML by targeting AR.