Establishment and characterization of osseous prostate cancer models: Intra tibial injection of human prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND. To improve the therapy of advanced prostate cancer (CaP), it is critical to develop animal models that mimic Cap bone metastases. Unlike the human disease, CaP xenograft models rarely metastasize spontaneously to bone from the orthotopic site of primary tumor growth. METHODS. Single-cell suspensions of LNCaP, PC-3, LuCaP 35, and LuCaP 23.1 CaP cells were injected directly into tibia of SCID mice. Immunohistochemistry and bone histomorphometrical analyses were performed to characterize these osseous-CaP models. RESULTS. LuCaP 23.1 Yields an osteoblastic response, LNCaP Yields mixed lesions, and LuCaP 35 and PC-3 result in osteolytic responses. We have detected osteoprotegerin, RANK ligand, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and endothelin-1, proteins associated with bone growth and remodeling, in the CaP cells grown in the bone. CONCLUSIONS. These animal models can be used to study biological interactions, pathways, and potential therapeutic targets, and also to evaluate new agents for treatment and prevention of CaP bone metastasis. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.