Advances in mouse models of prostate cancer

Ahmad, I. , Sansom, O.J. and Leung, H.Y. (2008) Advances in mouse models of prostate cancer. Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, 10, e16. (doi: 10.1017/S1462399408000689)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Advances in science and technology have allowed us to manipulate the mouse genome and analyse the effect of specific genetic alterations on the development of prostate cancer in vivo. We can now analyse the molecular basis of initiation, invasion and progression to metastatic disease. The current mouse models utilise knockout, knock-in or conditional regulation of expression using Cre–loxP technology. Genes that have been targeted include homeobox genes, tumour suppressors and oncogenes, growth factors (and their receptors), steroid hormones and cell-cycle regulators, as well as pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Bigenic models indicate that that two ‘hits’ are required for progression from intra-epithelial neoplasia (PIN) to invasion carcinoma, and two to five hits are needed for metastasis. Here, we discuss the numerous models that mimic various aspects of the disease process, such as PIN, locally invasive adenocarcinoma and metastatic disease. Currently the PB-Cre4 × PTENloxP/loxP mouse is the only model that spans the entire continuum from initiation to local invasion and metastasis. Such mouse models increase our understanding of the disease process and provide targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Hopefully, the transgenic models will become inducible and ultimately allow both temporal and spatial gene inactivation. Compound mutational models will also develop further, with double and triple knock-in or knockout systems adding to our knowledge of the interaction between different signalling cascades.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ahmad, Professor Imran and Leung, Professor Hing and Sansom, Professor Owen
Authors: Ahmad, I., Sansom, O.J., and Leung, H.Y.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
ISSN:1462-3994
Related URLs:

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record