ASCL1 and prostate cancer: However, the observation that expression of hASH1, certain markers of NE cells (NSE/SYP) and invasive tumour potential (MMP-9) remain elevated in apparently dedifferentiated prostate cancer cells has implications for the efficacy of intermittent ADT (iADT), as it suggests these cells have greater aggressive potential and could more readily undergo NE transdifferentiation upon subsequent AD.