Low-Dose Dimethyl Sulfoxide Suppresses Androgen Receptor and Its Splice Variant AR-V7 in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells

This study investigates the effects of low-dose dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on androgen receptor (AR) expression in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. The research found that DMSO at concentrations of 0.1–1% showed minimal cytotoxicity, while 2.5% resulted in about 20% cytotoxicity after 96 hours. Importantly, DMSO at 1.0 and 2.5% significantly inhibited the migration of prostate cancer cells and led to a dose-dependent reduction in both full-length AR (AR-FL) and its splice variant AR-V7. In particular, DMSO downregulated hnRNPH1, a splicing factor linked to AR expression, in 22Rv1 cells. These findings suggest that low concentrations of DMSO could serve as a promising anticancer agent for treating prostate cancer, especially in its castration-resistant stages.