Metastatic prostate cancer in a transgenic mouse.

We have previously reported the development of a transgenic mouse model for prostate cancer derived from PB-Tag transgenic line 8247, henceforth designated the TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate) model. We now describe the temporal and spatial consequences of transgene expression and report the identification and characterization of metastatic disease in the TRAMP model. TRAMP mice characteristically express the T antigen oncoprotein by 8 weeks of age and develop distinct pathology in the epithelium of the dorsolateral prostate by 10 weeks of age. Distant site metastases can be detected as early as 12 weeks of age. The common sites of metastases are the periaortic lymph nodes and lungs, with occasional metastases to the kidney, adrenal gland, and bone. By 28 weeks of age, 100% harbor metastatic prostate cancer in the lymph nodes or lungs. We have also demonstrated the loss of normal E-cadherin expression, as observed in human prostate cancer, as primary tumors become less differentiated and metastasize. The TRAMP model provides a consistent source of primary and metastatic tumors for histopathobiological and molecular analysis to further define the earliest molecular events involved in the genesis, progression, and metastasis of prostate cancer.