LuCaP 35: A new model of prostate cancer progression to androgen independence

BACKGROUND. Generation of suitable in vivo models is critical for understanding of processes associated with development and progression of prostate cancer (CaP). METHODS. Lymph nodes containing metastatic androgen-independent CaP were implanted into athymic mice. A xenograft designated LuCaP 35 and its hormone-independent variant LuCaP 35V were established and characterized. RESULTS. LuCaP 35 is an androgen-sensitive, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-producing xenograft. It expresses the wild-type androgen receptor and exhibits deletions in chromosome 8p, but not in chromosome 10. The response of LuCaP 35 to androgen ablation is similar to that observed in man. Using recurring LuCaP 35 tumors we have also established an androgen-insensitive variant of LuCaP 35. CONCLUSIONS. The availability of hormone-dependent and -independent variants of LuCaP 35, which exhibit many properties analogous to those of CaP in man, provides an excellent model system to study the processes associated with development of androgen independence and to evaluate new treatment modalities.