Broadening of transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model to represent late stage androgen depletion independent cancer.

Background: The transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model closely mimics PC-progression as it occurs in humans. However, the timing of disease incidence and progression (especially late stage) makes it logistically difficult to conduct experiments synchronously and economically. The development and characterization of androgen depletion independent (ADI) TRAMP sublines are reported.

Combination of cytosine deaminase with uracil phosphoribosyl transferase leads to local and distant bystander effects against RM1 prostate cancer in mice.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT) using cytosine deaminase in combination with uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (CDUPRT) against intraprostatic mouse androgen-refractory prostate (RM1) tumors in immunocompetent mice. The product of the fusion gene, CDUPRT, converts the prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine (5FC), into 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and other cytotoxic metabolites that kill both CDUPRT-expressing and surrounding cells, via a 'bystander effect'.

Methods: Stably transformed andogen-independent mouse prostate cancer (PC) cells, RM1-CDUPRT, -GFP or GFP/LacZ cells were used.