1
|
Nascimento-Gonçalves E, Seixas F, Ferreira R, Colaço B, Parada B, Oliveira PA. An overview of the latest in state-of-the-art murine models for prostate cancer. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 16:1349-1364. [PMID: 34224283 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1943354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex, heterogenous and multifocal disease, which is debilitating for patients and often fatal - due to bone metastasis and castration-resistant cancer. The use of murine models that mimic human disease has been crucial in the development of innovative therapies and for better understanding the mechanisms associated with initiation and progression of PCa. AREAS COVERED This review presents a critical analysis of murine models for the study of PCa, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses and applications. EXPERT OPINION In animal models, disease may not occur exactly as it does in humans, and sometimes the levels of efficacy that certain treatments obtain in animal models cannot be translated into clinical practice. To choose the most appropriate animal model for each research work, it is crucial to understand the anatomical and physiological differences between the mouse and the human prostate, while it is also important to identify biological similarities and differences between murine and human prostate tumors. Although significant progress has already been made, thanks to many years of research and study, the number of new challenges and obstacles to overcome mean there is a long and difficult road still to travel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabete Nascimento-Gonçalves
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.,Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.,Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (Laqv-requimte),department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro (UA), Portugal
| | - Fernanda Seixas
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.,Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Rita Ferreira
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (Laqv-requimte),department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro (UA), Portugal
| | - Bruno Colaço
- Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.,Department of Zootechnics, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Belmiro Parada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (Icbr), Coimbra, Portugal.,University of Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Urology and Renal Transplantation Department, Coimbra University Hospital Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula A Oliveira
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.,Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
van Duijn PW, Marques RB, Ziel-van der Made ACJ, van Zoggel HJAA, Aghai A, Berrevoets C, Debets R, Jenster G, Trapman J, van Weerden WM. Tumor heterogeneity, aggressiveness, and immune cell composition in a novel syngeneic PSA-targeted Pten knockout mouse prostate cancer (MuCaP) model. Prostate 2018; 78:1013-1023. [PMID: 30133757 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is recognized as a heterogeneous disease demanding appropriate preclinical models that reflect tumor complexity. Previously, we established the PSA-Cre;PtenLoxP/LoxP genetic engineered mouse model (GEMM) for prostate cancer reflecting the various stages of tumor development. Prostate tumors in this Pten KO model slowly develop, requiring more than 10 months. In order to enhance its practical utility, we established a syngeneic panel of cell lines derived from PSA-Cre targeted Pten KO tumors, designated the mouse prostate cancer (MuCap) model. METHODS Four different MuCaP epithelial cell lines were established from three independent primary Pten KO mouse prostate tumors. Tumorigenic capacity of the MuCaP cell lines was determined by subcutaneous inoculation of these cell lines in immunocompetent mice. Response to PI3K-targeted therapy was validated in ex vivo tissue slices of the established MuCaP tumors. RESULTS The MuCaP cell lines were all tumorigenic in immunocompetent mice after subcutaneous inoculation. Interestingly, these syngrafted tumors represented different tumor growth rates and morphologies. Treatment with the specific PI3K inhibitor GDC0941 resulted in responses very similar between syngeneic MuCaP and primary Pten KO prostate tumors. Finally, immunoprofiling of the different syngeneic MuCaP tumors demonstrated differential numbers of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and distinct immune gene profiles with expression of CD8, INFy, and PD1 being inversely related to tumor aggressiveness. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we present here a well-defined MuCaP platform of in vitro and in vivo mouse prostate cancer models that may support preclinical assessment of (immune)-therapies for prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra W van Duijn
- Department of Pathology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rute B Marques
- Department of Urology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ashraf Aghai
- Department of Urology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cor Berrevoets
- Department of Medical Oncology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reno Debets
- Department of Medical Oncology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guido Jenster
- Department of Urology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Trapman
- Department of Pathology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wytske M van Weerden
- Department of Urology, JNI, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The mouse is an important, though imperfect, organism with which to model human disease and to discover and test novel drugs in a preclinical setting. Many experimental strategies have been used to discover new biological and molecular targets in the mouse, with the hopes of translating these discoveries into novel drugs to treat prostate cancer in humans. Modeling prostate cancer in the mouse, however, has been challenging, and often drugs that work in mice have failed in human trials. AREAS COVERED The authors discuss the similarities and differences between mice and men; the types of mouse models that exist to model prostate cancer; practical questions one must ask when using a mouse as a model; and potential reasons that drugs do not often translate to humans. They also discuss the current value in using mouse models for drug discovery to treat prostate cancer and what needs are still unmet in field. EXPERT OPINION With proper planning and following practical guidelines by the researcher, the mouse is a powerful experimental tool. The field lacks genetically engineered metastatic models, and xenograft models do not allow for the study of the immune system during the metastatic process. There remain several important limitations to discovering and testing novel drugs in mice for eventual human use, but these can often be overcome. Overall, mouse modeling is an essential part of prostate cancer research and drug discovery. Emerging technologies and better and ever-increasing forms of communication are moving the field in a hopeful direction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C Valkenburg
- The Johns Hopkins University, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology , 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 , USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in understanding, detection, and treatment, it accounts for almost one-fourth of all deaths per year in Western countries. Prostate cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous cancer in men in Europe and the United States, accounting for 15% of all cancers in men. As life expectancy of individuals increases, it is expected that there will also be an increase in the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer may be inoperable at initial presentation, unresponsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or recur following appropriate treatment. At the time of presentation, patients may already have metastases in their tissues. Preventing tumor recurrence requires systemic therapy; however, current modalities are limited by toxicity or lack of efficacy. For patients with such metastatic cancers, the development of alternative therapies is essential. Gene therapy is a realistic prospect for the treatment of prostate and other cancers, and involves the delivery of genetic information to the patient to facilitate the production of therapeutic proteins. Therapeutics can act directly (eg, by inducing tumor cells to produce cytotoxic agents) or indirectly by upregulating the immune system to efficiently target tumor cells or by destroying the tumor's vasculature. However, technological difficulties must be addressed before an efficient and safe gene medicine is achieved (primarily by developing a means of delivering genes to the target cells or tissue safely and efficiently). A wealth of research has been carried out over the past 20 years, involving various strategies for the treatment of prostate cancer at preclinical and clinical trial levels. The therapeutic efficacy observed with many of these approaches in patients indicates that these treatment modalities will serve as an important component of urological malignancy treatment in the clinic, either in isolation or in combination with current approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Tangney
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ahmad I, Sansom OJ, Leung HY. The role of murine models of prostate cancer in drug target discovery and validation. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2009; 4:879-88. [DOI: 10.1517/17460440903049308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
|