Anatomy and Histology of the Human and Murine Prostate (original) (raw)

Prostate Pathology of Genetically Engineered Mice: Definitions and Classification. The Consensus Report from the Bar Harbor Meeting of the Mouse Models of Human Cancer Consortium Prostate Pathology Committee

Cancer Research, 2004

Committee to provide a hierarchical taxonomy of disorders of the mouse prostate to facilitate classification of existing and newly created mouse models and the translation to human prostate pathology. The proposed Bar Harbor Classification system is the culmination of three meetings and workshops attended by various members of the Prostate Pathology Committee of the Mouse Models of Human Cancer Consortium. A 2-day Pathology Workshop was held at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, in October 2001, in which study sets of 93 slides from 22 GEM models were provided to individual panel members. The comparison of mouse and human prostate anatomy and disease demonstrates significant differences and considerable similarities that bear on the interpretation of the origin and natural history of their diseases. The recommended classification of mouse prostate pathology is hierarchical, and includes developmental, inflammatory, benign proliferative, and neoplastic disorders. Among the neoplastic disorders, preinvasive, microinvasive, and poorly differentiated neoplasms received the most attention. Specific criteria were recommended and will be discussed. Transitions between neoplastic states were of particular concern. Preinvasive neoplasias of the mouse prostate were recognized as focal, atypical, and progressive lesions. These lesions were designated as mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mPIN). Some atypical lesions were identified in mouse models without evidence of progression to malignancy. The panel recommended that mPIN lesions not be given histological grades, but that mPIN be further classified as to the absence or presence of documented associated progression to invasive carcinoma. Criteria for recognizing microinvasion, for classification of invasive gland-forming adenocarcinomas, and for characterizing poorly differentiated tumors, including neuroendocrine carcinomas, were developed and are discussed. The uniform application of defined terminology is essential for correlating results between different laboratories and models. It is recommended that investigators use the Bar Harbor Classification system when characterizing new GEM models or when conducting experimental interventions that may alter the phenotype or natural history of lesion progression in existing models.

Development of seven new human prostate tumor xenograft models and their histopathological characterization. Am J Pathol

American Journal Of Pathology

Seven human prostate tumor models were established by transplanting tumor fragments in NMRI athymic nude mice. Once established, the tumors were serially transplantable in both NMRI and BALB/c nude mice. The xenografts originated from primary prostatic carcinomas (prostatectomy specimens), transurethral resection material, and metastatic lesions (pelvic lymph nodes and scrotal skin). Histological examination revealed that, in the course of several mouse passages (8 to 23), tumors retained their resemblance to the original patient material. The PC-295, PC-310, PC-329, and PC-346 tumors are dependent on androgens for their growth. The PC-324, PC-339, and PC-374 tumors are androgen independent, although growth of PC-374 tumors still seemed androgen sensitive. All tumors are diploid, except for the PC-374, which is tetraploid. The diploid PC-295 tumor has an additional small population of tetraploid cells. All xenografts displayed a heterogeneous expression pattern of the androgen receptor except for the PC-324 and PC-339 tumors in which the androgen receptor could not be detected. Prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen were retained during serial transplantation in all tumors but the PC-324 and PC-339. This panel of permanent human prostate tumor models comprises tumors representing both the androgen-dependent and -independent stages of human prostate cancer with various degrees of differentiation and, therefore, is of great value for the study of many aspects of growth and progression of human prostate cancer.

Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer

European Urology Supplements, 2008

Mouse models of prostate cancer are used to test the contribution of individual genes to the transformation process, evaluate the collaboration between multiple genetic lesions observed in a single tumour, and perform preclinical intervention studies in prostate cancer research.Mouse models for human prostate cancer are generated through genetic engineering of the mouse germline, introducing lesions that reflect those observed in human prostate cancer specimens. The optimal mouse model accurately reflects the pathogenesis of the disease including the sporadic nature of the initiating insult, the identity of the genetic lesions accumulated throughout the transformation process, the hormone dependency of the malignant cells, the incidence and tissue specificity of metastatic lesions, and the responses to therapeutic intervention.Although this ultimate goal has not yet been reached, the currently existing mouse models for prostate cancer have yielded important insights. These mostly relate to the contribution of individual genes and the mechanism of oncogene collaboration in the early stages of the disease. Modelling metastatic and hormone-refractory prostate cancer, however, remains a major challenge.Mouse models have made an invaluable contribution in identifying the genetic lesions involved in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions and locally invasive prostate cancer. Most mouse models are less accurate in modelling the progression to metastatic disease. Moreover, most mouse models for prostate cancer do not facilitate analysis of hormone-refractory prostate cancer, although this would constitute the most valuable contribution to preclinical testing of novel therapeutic intervention strategies for the human disease.

In Vivo Models for Prostate Cancer Research

In 2022, prostate cancer (PCa) is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States – almost 270,000 American men are estimated to be diagnosed with PCa in 2022 [1]. This review compares and contrasts in vivo models of PCa with regards to the altered genes, signaling pathways, and stages of tumor progression associated with each model. The main type of model included in this review are genetically engineered mouse models, which include conditional and constitutive knockout model. 2D cell lines, 3D organoids and spheroids, xenografts and allografts, and patient derived models are also included. The major applications, advantages and disadvantages, and ease of use and cost are unique to each type of model, but they all make it easier to translate the tumor progression that is seen in the mouse prostate to the human prostate. Although both human and mouse prostates are androgen-dependent, the fact that the native, genetically unaltered prostate in mice cann...

Mouse Strains for Prostate Tumorigenesis Based on Genes Altered in Human Prostate Cancer

Current Drug Targets, 2003

Animal models of prostate cancer have been limited in number and in relevance to the human disease. With the advancement of transgenic and knockout technologies, combined with tissue specific promoters and tissue-specific gene ablation, a new generation of mouse models has emerged. This review will discuss various animal models and their inherent strengths and weaknesses. A primary emphasis is placed on mouse models that have been designed on the basis of genetic alterations that are frequently found in human prostate cancer. These models display slow, temporal development of increasingly severe histopathologic lesions, which are remarkably restricted to the prostate gland, a property similar to the ageing related progression of this disease in humans. The preneoplastic lesions, akin to what is considered as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, are consistent major phenotypes in the models, and, therefore, are discussed for histopathologic criteria that may distinguish their progressions or grades. Finally, considering that prostate cancer is a complex multifocal disease, which is likely to require multiple genetic/epigenetic alterations, many of these models have already been intercrossed to derive mice with compound genetic alterations. It is predicted that these and subsequent compound mutant mice should represent "natural" animal models for investigating the mechanism of development of human prostate diseases, as well as, for preclinical models for testing therapeutics.

Cellular and Molecular Progression of Prostate Cancer: Models for Basic and Preclinical Research

Cancers, 2020

We have witnessed noteworthy progress in our understanding of prostate cancer over the past decades. This basic knowledge has been translated into efficient diagnostic and treatment approaches leading to the improvement in patient survival. However, the molecular pathogenesis of prostate cancer appears to be complex, and histological findings often do not provide an accurate assessment of disease aggressiveness and future course. Moreover, we also witness tremendous racial disparity in prostate cancer incidence and clinical outcomes necessitating a deeper understanding of molecular and mechanistic bases of prostate cancer. Biological research heavily relies on model systems that can be easily manipulated and tested under a controlled experimental environment. Over the years, several cancer cell lines have been developed representing diverse molecular subtypes of prostate cancer. In addition, several animal models have been developed to demonstrate the etiological molecular basis of ...

Establishment and Genomic Characterization of Mouse Xenografts of Human Primary Prostate Tumors

The American Journal of Pathology, 2010

Serum prostate-specific antigen screening has led to earlier detection and surgical treatment of prostate cancer , favoring an increasing incidence-to-mortality ratio. However, about one third of tumors that are diagnosed when still confined to the prostate can relapse within 10 years from the first treatment. The challenge is therefore to identify prognostic markers of aggressive versus indolent tumors. Although several preclinical models of advanced prostate tumors are available , a model that recapitulates the genetic and growth behavior of primary tumors is still lacking. Here , we report a complete histopathological and genomic characterization of xenografts derived from primary localized low-and high-grade human prostate tumors that were implanted under the renal capsule of immunodeficient mice. We obtained a tumor take of 56% and show that these xenografts maintained the histological as well as most genomic features of the parental tumors. Serum prostate-specific antigen levels were measurable only in tumor xenograft-bearing mice, but not in those implanted with either normal prostate tissue or in tumors that likely regressed. Finally, we show that a high proliferation rate, but not the pathological stage or the Gleason grade of the original tumor , was a fundamental prerequisite for tumor take in mice. This mouse xenograft model represents a useful preclinical model of primary prostate tumors for their biological characterization, biomarker discovery, and drug testing.

Clinical and Experimental Progression of a New Model of Human Prostate Cancer and Therapeutic Approach

The American Journal of Pathology, 2001

We report the clinical evolution of a prostate cancer, metastasizing to lungs and bones, recurring locally, and escaping from anti-androgen therapy. Key event of biological progression of the patient's tumor was the coincidence of allelic imbalance accumulation and of bone metastases occurrence. The recurrent tumor was established as the transplantable xenograft PAC120 in nude mice, where it grew locally. PAC120 displayed the same immunophenotype of the original tumor (positive for keratin, vimentin, prostatic acid phosphatase, and Leu-7) and expressed human HOXB9, HOXA4, HER-2/neu, and prostate-specific antigen genes, as detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. It formed lung micrometastases detected by mRNA expression of human genes. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated numerous alterations reflecting the tumor evolution. PAC120 was still hormone-dependent; its growth was strongly inhibited by the new gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist FE 200486 but weakly by gonadotropin-releasing hormone superagonist D-Trp 6 -luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (decapeptyl). Tumor growth inhibition induced by anti-hormone therapy was linked to the hormone deprivation degree, more important and more stable with FE 200486 than with D-Trp 6luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone. Surgical castration of mice led to tumor regressions but did not prevent late recurrences. Transition to hormone-independent tumors was frequently associated with a mucoid differentiation or with a neuroendocrine-like pattern. Independent variations of mRNA expression of HER-2/neu and prostate-specific antigen were observed in hormone-independent tumors whereas HOXB9 gene expression was constant. In conclusion, PAC120 xenograft, a new model of hormone-dependent prostate cancer retained the progression potential of the original tumor, opening the opportunity to study the hormone dependence escape mechanism.