Pathologic progression of autochthonous prostate cancer in the TRAMP model.

The ability to manipulate gene expression in specific cell types at specific times utilizing transgenic technology has allowed the development of novel mouse model systems that can mimic human disease. We have previously established the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model for prostate cancer using the rat probasin promoter to direct expression of the SV40 early genes to prostate epithelium. Male TRAMP mice exhibit consistent prostate-specific patterns of expression and develop prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia that will become invasive and metastasize primarily to the lymph nodes and lungs.