The TRAMP Mouse as a Model for Prostate Cancer

The transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model closely mirrors the pathogenesis of human prostate cancer. Male TRAMP mice uniformly and spontaneously develop autochthonous (orthotopic) prostate tumors following the onset of puberty. Prostate cancer occurs consequent to the expression of SV40 T antigen. The versatility of the TRAMP model has been extended by establishment of several TRAMP-derived prostate tumor cells lines that can be injected into syngeneic male nontransgenic C57BL/6 hosts to induce ectopic prostate tumorigenesis. Subcutaneous tumor induction using the TRAMP-C cell lines has provided the basis for two additional murine models, the first of which can be used for rapid screening of experimental therapies for the treatment of primary prostate tumors and the second for testing the effectiveness of adjunctive therapies targeting prostate cancer metastases. Detailed descriptions for the harvesting and microdissection of TRAMP prostates and tumors, and the evaluation and scoring of tumors are also provided.