Bombesin (BN) and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) have been shown to stimulate the growth of human prostate cancer in vivo and in vitro by mechanisms initiated by binding of the peptide to BN/GRP receptor (GRPR). GRPR is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, including human prostatic carcinoma. This led us to evaluate the effectiveness of blocking GRPR and of chemotherapy targeted to GRPR in androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3) prostate cancer cells, which exhibit different features of disease progression. Thus, we used a cytotoxic BN/GRP analog, AN-215, consisting of 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (AN-201) linked to BN-like carrier peptide, and a BN/GRP receptor antagonist, RC-3095. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that mRNA and protein levels for GRPR increased in prostate cancer cells as compared with nonneoplastic RWPE-1 cells. Immunofluorocytochemistry and Western blot assays revealed that AN-215 was the most effective analog decreasing both the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor family members and the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2, which are associated to a poor prognosis. Furthermore, analogs targeted to BN/GRP receptors, AN-215 and RC-3095, blocked the effect of BN on cell growth in RWPE-1, LNCaP and PC-3 cells. These findings shed light on the mechanisms of action of these analogs and support the view that the use of AN-215 and RC-3095 for blocking BN/GRP receptors for targeted therapy may be of benefit for treatment of advanced prostate cancer.Prostate carcinoma is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of death from cancer. 1 Hormonal therapies based on androgen deprivation provide only a remission of limited duration, and patients with androgen refractory prostate cancer have a very poor prognosis. Treatment of advanced or metastatic cancers is carried out mainly by chemotherapy, which can also be applied as adjuvant to surgery and/or radiotherapy. 2 However, cancer chemotherapy is restricted by the toxicity of the drugs, and a more selective delivery of the cytotoxic agents to the tumors and their metastases would allow a dose escalation and reduce the peripheral toxicity. Targeted chemotherapy represents a modern oncologic strategy that improves the effectiveness of cytotoxic drugs and decreases their peripheral toxicity. 3 Bombesin (BN)-like peptides, such as gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B, bind to their specific Gprotein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the cell surface of tumors. 4,5 Three receptor subtypes are found in mammalians: neuromedin B receptor subtype (BB1), GRP receptor subtype (GRPR subtype or BB2 subtype) and orphan receptor subtype (BB3). 6 BN-like peptides regulate the expression of multiple genes and intracellular signaling pathways, which together may enhance prostate cancer growth and metastasis. 7 High affinity receptors for BN/GRP and mRNA of the BN receptor subtype 2 have been found in androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3 and DU-145) hum...