Characterization of a new model of human prostatic cancer: the multicellular tumor spheroid

Multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) provide a closer in vitro correlate to in vivo malignancy than do conventional monolayer cultures; while simulating many parameters of in vivo growth, MTS systems provide those perquisites (i.e., experimental control, economy, expediency) associated with in vitro evaluation of preclinical therapeutic strategies. For these reasons, we exploited the proclivity of the highly metastatic human prostatic carcinoma subline I-LN-PC3-IA to spontaneously assume a spheroid morphology under routine culture conditions. I-LN spheroids demonstrate salient features described in other spheroid systems and exhibit histologic characteristics of human prostate carcinoma. Cells encompassed in the I-LN spheroid format demonstrated functional divergence from their monolayer counterparts with respect to immunoreactivity for prostatic acid phosphatase, positional dependence of prostate-restricted p40 antigen expression, and chemotherapeutic drug response. This new in vitro-in vivo transition model of human prostatic carcinoma should provide a valuable in vitro context to expediently evaluate in vivo correlates of oncolytic protocols on a malignancy that remains refractive to therapy.