Technologies

Currently there is a lack of information and models for understanding human prostate cancer progression. Most models currently available only allow for comparison of tumorigenic versus non-tumorigenic states. UCSF investigators have developed a series of human prostatic epithelial cell lines that encompass the range of prostate cancer progression. These cells are derived from the parental BPH-1 non-tumorigenic immortalized human prostatic epithelial cell line (see References below) using tissue recombination methods. Upon hormonal treatment, the cells exhibited either non-tumorigenicity, tumorigenicity, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. Progression uniquely occurs in initiated but non-tumorgenic epithelial cells and has been characterized by histopathological criteria, tumor mass size, and associated changes in expression of gene products.