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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Context-dependent hormone-refractory progression revealed through characterization of a novel murine prostate cancer
Philip A Watson1, Katharine Ellwood-Yen, Jennifer C King
1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 90095, USA.
Abstract:
Insights into the molecular basis of hormone-refractory prostate cancer have principally relied on human prostate cancer cell lines, all of which were derived from patients who had already failed hormonal therapy. Recent progress in developing genetically engineered mouse prostate cancer models provides an opportunity to isolate novel cell lines from animals never exposed to hormone ablation, avoiding any potential bias conferred by the selective pressure of the castrate environment. Here we report the isolation of such a cell line (Myc-CaP) from a c-myc transgenic mouse with prostate cancer. Myc-CaP cells have an amplified androgen receptor gene despite no prior exposure to androgen withdrawal and they retain androgen-dependent transgene expression as well as androgen-dependent growth in soft agar and in mice. Reexpression of c-Myc from a hormone-independent promoter rescues growth in androgen-depleted agar but not in castrated mice, showing a clear distinction between the molecular requirements for hormone-refractory growth in vitro versus in vivo. Myc-CaP cells represent a unique reagent for dissecting discreet steps in hormone-refractory prostate cancer progression and show the general utility of using genetically engineered mouse models for establishing new prostate cancer cell lines.
Insights
Researchers isolated a new prostate cancer cell line, Myc-CaP, from genetically engineered mice. This model avoids hormone therapy bias and aids in understanding hormone-refractory prostate cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Prostate cancer research often uses cell lines from patients with prior hormone therapy.
- This limits understanding of early-stage hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
- Genetically engineered mouse models offer a novel approach to isolate unbiased cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a new prostate cancer cell line from a c-myc transgenic mouse model.
- To investigate the molecular basis of hormone-refractory prostate cancer progression.
- To evaluate the utility of genetically engineered mouse models for generating novel cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of the Myc-CaP cell line from a c-myc transgenic mouse.
- Analysis of androgen receptor gene amplification and androgen-dependent gene expression.
- Assessment of Myc-CaP cell growth in vitro (soft agar) and in vivo (mice) under varying androgen conditions.
Main Results:
- The Myc-CaP cell line was successfully isolated and characterized.
- Myc-CaP cells exhibit androgen receptor gene amplification and androgen-dependent growth.
- Re-expression of c-Myc rescues in vitro growth but not in vivo growth in androgen-depleted conditions, highlighting distinct requirements.
Conclusions:
- Myc-CaP cells provide a unique model for studying hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
- This cell line helps differentiate in vitro versus in vivo molecular requirements for refractory growth.
- Genetically engineered mouse models are valuable for establishing novel prostate cancer cell lines.
