Castration triggers growth of previously static androgen-independent lesions in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model.

Background: Androgen-deprivation remains the standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer, yet its total impact on the course of disease is incompletely established.

Methods: We have examined the long-term effects of castration upon the progression of established cancer in the TRAMP transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer. Mice castrated at 15-weeks of age, as well as intact littermates, were followed until spontaneous death from cancer.