A novel method of generating prostate cancer metastases from orthotopic implants

BACKGROUND. Spontaneous metastasis following implantation at the orthotopic site is a highly desired feature in prostate cancer (CaP) models, since it would enable studies of mechanisms associated with tumor cell dissemination. METHODS. LuCaP 23.8 and LuCaP 35, hormone-sensitive CaP xenografts that express PSA and the wild-type androgen receptor, were grown orthotopically in SCID mice. When tumor volumes reached similar to250-500 mg, primary tumors were removed to allow micrometastases to grow. RESULTS. Using this procedure we generated macroscopic metastases (>20 mg) in 71% (LuCaP 23.8) and 100% (LuCaP 35) of animals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. These models may be used to evaluate new treatment modalities and study mechanisms associated with development of metastases. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.