RAT PROSTATIC ADENOCARCINOMA AS A MODEL FOR THE HUMAN-DISEASE

Abstract

A transplantable, metastasizing prostatic adenocarcinoma (Tumor I) in Lobund Wistar rats was examined for activity and distribution of 5 hydrolytic enzymes and for ability to accumulate radioactive Zn. The tumor apparently arose in the ventral lobe of the prostate and its growth was not affected by orchiectomy, adrenalectomy or replacement treatment with exogenous androgen or corticosteroids. The androgen independency of the tumor was further shown by the low uptake of 3H-testosterone, in contrast to the high uptake in the ventral prostate. Tumor growth was retarded by Cytoxan but not by 5-fluorouracil, Estracyt or streptozotocin, 3 agents clinically effective in the treatment of some patients with prostatic cancer resistant to endocrine therapy. This tumor in Lobund Wistar rats may be an adequate model for human prostatic cancers resistant to the agents mentioned above.