Development of Methodology to Maintain Primary Cultures of Normal and Malignant Human Prostatic Epihelial Cells in Vivo

摘要

Our objective is to develop a realistic preclinical model of prostate cancer by developing methodology that supports the survival, growth and differentiation of primary cultures of prostate cells in mice. During Year 1, we focused on the method of implantation and the implantation site as the most critical elements in achieving this goal. In Year 2, we took into consideration growing evidence that stem cells are the only cells capable of regenerative growth in vivo, and started developing methodology to isolate stem cells and grow them in primary cultures. We continued these efforts in Year 3, but were not able to accomplish our goal of growing these stem cell primary cultures in vivo because of staffing problems. Staff is now in place and we will resume our in vivo studies under a No Cost Extension in Year 4.