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Updated: May 25, 2026

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Prostate cancer, tumor immunity and a renewed sense of optimism in immunotherapy
Nicolò Rigamonti1, Matteo Bellone
1Cellular Immunology Unit, Program of Immunology, Gene Therapy and Bio-Immunotherapy of Cancer, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy. rigamonti.nicolo@hsr.it
Abstract:
The recent FDA approval of the first therapeutic vaccine against prostate cancer has revitalized the public interest in the fields of cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Yet, clinical results are modest. A reason for this limited success may reside in the capacity of the tumor to convert inflammation in a tumor-promoting condition and eventually escape immune surveillance. Here we present the main known interactions between the prostate tumor and the immune system, showing how the malignancy can dodge the immune system by also exerting several immunosuppressive mechanisms. We also discuss experimental and clinical strategies proposed to counteract cancer immune evasion and emphasize the importance of implementing appropriate murine models like the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate model for investigating the biology of prostate cancer and novel immunotherapy approaches against it.
Insights
Prostate cancer immunotherapy shows modest results because tumors promote inflammation and evade immune surveillance. New strategies and mouse models are crucial for advancing prostate cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cancer immunotherapy
Background:
- Recent FDA approval of the first prostate cancer therapeutic vaccine has increased interest in cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
- Clinical outcomes for prostate cancer immunotherapy remain modest, suggesting underlying challenges in treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interactions between prostate tumors and the immune system.
- To explain how prostate cancer evades immune surveillance through immunosuppressive mechanisms.
- To discuss strategies for overcoming cancer immune evasion and the role of murine models.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on prostate cancer-immune system interactions.
- Analysis of tumor-induced inflammation and immunosuppressive mechanisms.
- Discussion of experimental and clinical strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Prostate tumors can manipulate inflammation to promote their growth and escape immune detection.
- Malignancies employ various immunosuppressive mechanisms to evade the host immune system.
- The transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model is highlighted as valuable for research.
Conclusions:
- Understanding tumor-immune interactions is key to improving prostate cancer immunotherapy.
- Counteracting tumor-induced immunosuppression is essential for successful treatment.
- Appropriate preclinical models are vital for developing and testing novel immunotherapies for prostate cancer.
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