In vitro activity: AZD3514 binds to the AR ligand binding domain and has selectivity for binding to AR over other nuclear hormone receptors. In vitro AZD3514 inhibits cell growth in prostate cancer cells expressing wild-type (VCaP) and mutated (T877A) AR (LNCaP), but is inactive in AR-negative prostate cancer cells. AZD3514 causes a rapid reduction in PSA synthesis in vitro; with a significant decrease in PSA mRNA being evident in LNCaP cells within 2-3 h of compound treatment. AZD3514 inhibits an androgen-induced translocation of AR from the cytoplasm to the nucleus within a comparable time-frame in LNCaP cells and U2OS AR-transfected cells. AZD3514 treatment also reduces AR protein in LNCaP cells maintained in steroid-depleted conditions; an effect which is evident within 6-8 h, and maximal at 18-24 h. The ability to down-regulate AR under such conditions differentiates AZD3514 from the AR antagonists bicalutamide and Enzalutamide, which do not reduce AR protein levels.

Kinase Assay: AZD3514 is a potent and oral androgen receptor downregulator with Ki of 2.2 μM and has ability of reducing AR protein expression.

Cell Assay: In LNCaP and LAPC4 prostate cancer cells, AZD3514 inhibited DHT-driven proliferation of LNCaP cells in a dose-dependent way and inhibited the ligand-driven expression of AR-regulated genes PSA and TMPRSS2. Also, AZD3514 reduced AR protein expression in a dose-dependent way.