In vivo model mimicking natural history of dog prostate cancer using DPC-1, a new canine prostate carcinoma cell line.

Background: Dog prostate cancer is usually considered to be highly relevant to human prostate cancer. We report the isolation of a new canine prostate cancer epithelial cell line designated DPC-1.

Methods: Primary cultures were established from a canine poorly differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma. Population doubling time was determined by counting nuclei after cell lysis. Tumorigenicity was assessed in nude mice and in one adult immunodeficient dog. Immunoscintigraphy was performed in both models using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) raised against the [44-62] sequence of human PSMA.

Results: DPC-1 cells have a rapid growth in vitro (doubling time, 27 hr) which is not stimulated by androgens. In addition, DPC-1 displays immunoreactivity to human PSA and PSMA. DPC-1 was found to be highly tumorigenic not only in nude mice but also for the first time after orthotopic seeding in an immunodeficient dog. This allograft mimicked, in a compressed form, the aggressive biological behavior of spontaneous dog prostate adenocarcinoma. Immunoscintigraphy using a (131)Iodine-labeled PSMA mAb clearly visualized induced tumors in nude mice and in the dog allograft.

Conclusions: This study suggests that DPC-1 may constitute a powerful model for assessing new diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools in the management of prostate cancer.