The LNCaP Xenograft Model for Prostate Cancer

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In vivo Efficacy Models Xenograft Models Cell Line-Derived Xenograft Models LNCaP Prostate Xenograft Model

Mimicking the Natural Progression of Prostate Cancer

LNCaP cells were originally isolated in 1977 from metastasis in the left supraclavicular lymph node of a 50-year-old Caucasian male. Being metastatic, slow-growing, androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells, ideal for modeling the typical progression of prostate cancer for therapeutic development.

Although 2D cell culture models are good at providing foundational insights, the LNCaP xenograft mouse model offers an in vivo environment that better reflects clinical conditions. This ensures comprehensive preclinical testing in a model that mimics the majority of prostate cancers.

Advantages of the LNCaP Xenograft Model

  • Achieve relevant insights with androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer cells
  • Reduce lead timelines with 4-6 week tumor establishment in mice to shorten study time
  • Adapt to research challenges with flexible delivery, including subcutaneous and orthotopic xenografts
  • Rely on a dependable cell line elevated to an innovative 3D culture system

Monitor tumor progression non-invasively with the LNCaP-Luc xenograft model

Derived from the LNCaP cell line, the LNCaP-Luc orthotopic tumor model offers the same androgen sensitivity and reliability established over decades, but with the added feature of luciferase (Luc) expression. Frequently used in molecular biology for live tracking, Luc is a bioluminescent reporter that enables noninvasive monitoring of cells through IVIS and other bioluminescence imaging methods.

The LNCaP-Luc xenograft model enables real-time monitoring of tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment response at multiple stages, all without the need for animal sacrifice.

Personalize your prostate cancer research with our custom services

Elevate your prostate cancer research with our LNCaP xenograft model, ideal for studying androgen receptor signaling and therapeutic efficacy in vivo.

Contact us for more information on our bespoke services, including IVIS imaging, PK studies, and tumor biomarker analyses.

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    Sridharan Rajamani, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist

    Gilead Sciences
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    Jay Lichter

    Avalon Ventures
  • Melior provided State-of-the-art Preclinical Pharmacology Support for a period of nearly a year where a series of in vivo studies were completed on a weekly basis. The staff was extremely user-friendly and the operational processes were excellent. I can recommend Melior without reservation.

    Richard DiMarchi, PhD

    Cox Professor of Chemistry & Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences Indiana University, Department of Chemistry
  • Because Melior could do the orthotopic intracranial implants, we were able to do survival studies with brain tumor-bearing animals that were treated with our therapy, showing a beautiful survival with our agent versus control. Talk about something that gets your investors going! These beautiful survival curves with our agent versus control and visual photos are in all of our investor decks because… it's powerful.

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    Modifi Bio
  • Melior works in many therapeutic areas, like CNS, inflammatory disease, GI, cardiovascular, and oncology. I was very pleased that when it came to doing tumor studies, both subcutaneous and intracranial, they did them well. They reported on the studies on time and did the data analysis really well.

    Bruce Ruggeri, Ph.D.

    Modifi Bio
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    Tamuro Bio
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    SFA Therapeutics

Human prostate cancer LNCaP xenograft model. 1×106 LNCaP cells were subcutaneously injected into the rear flank of nude mice. The growth of the tumor was monitored twice per week. Data area mean +/- SEM.

Did you know we offer comprehensive sample collection with our LNCaP xenograft model?

We provide collection services for blood and tissue samples for PK, flow cytometry, ELISA, H&E, HIF/HIC, and more. These samples provide critical data on tumor progression, treatment response, and biomarker analysis, enhancing the depth of your research.

Want to know more? Speak to an expert

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Use patient-derived samples in personalized prostate cancer models

Accurately predict the efficacy of your prostate cancer therapies with customized mouse xenografts using patient-derived cells.

Learn more about patient-derived xenograft models

Publications

Abate-Shen, C., & Nunes de Almeida, F. (2022). Establishment of the LNCaP Cell Line – The Dawn of an Era for Prostate Cancer Research. Cancer research, 82(9), 1689–1691. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-1065

Kouhpayeh, S., Einizadeh, A. R., Hejazi, Z., Boshtam, M., Shariati, L., Mirian, M., Darzi, L., Sojoudi, M., Khanahmad, H., & Rezaei, A. (2016). Antiproliferative effect of a synthetic aptamer mimicking androgen response elements in the LNCaP cell line. Cancer gene therapy, 23(8), 254–257. https://doi.org/10.1038/cgt.2016.26

Lin, H. P., Lin, C. Y., Hsiao, P. H., Wang, H. D., Jiang, S. S., Hsu, J. M., Jim, W. T., Chen, M., Kung, H. J., & Chuu, C. P. (2013). Difference in protein expression profile and chemotherapy drugs response of different progression stages of LNCaP sublines and other human prostate cancer cells. PloS one, 8(12), e82625. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0082625

Phan, N. N., Moreno, C. S., & Lai, Y. H. (2020). Overexpression of SOX4 induces up-regulation of miR-126 and miR-195 in LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Cytotechnology, 72(4), 527–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-020-00399-3

Sanmukh, S. G., Dos Santos, N. J., Nascimento Barquilha, C., De Carvalho, M., Pintor Dos Reis, P., Delella, F. K., Carvalho, H. F., Latek, D., Fehér, T., & Felisbino, S. L. (2023). Bacterial RNA virus MS2 exposure increases the expression of cancer progression genes in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Oncology letters, 25(2), 86. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2023.13672

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of LNCaP cells over PC3, and DU145 in a xenograft model?

The LNCaP cell line is androgen-sensitive, making it ideal for modeling early-stage prostate cancer and androgen receptor signaling. PC3 and DU145 are both androgen-independent, representing more aggressive, late-stage prostate cancer. LNCaP cells are best for studying the transition from androgen dependence to independence, while the cell lines PC3 and DU145 are valuable for research on advanced, hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

What types of studies can be performed using the LNCaP xenograft model?

The LNCaP xenograft model is ideal for use in various study types, including:

  • Drug efficacy testing
  • Androgen receptor signaling
  • Tumor biomarker analyses
  • Pharmacokinetics (PK) studies

The model also supports personalized services like IVIS imaging for monitoring tumor growth and metastasis.

How quickly can the LNCaP xenograft model be prepared?

The LNCaP xenograft model can be ready for treatment in 4-6 weeks following cell inoculation, and the treatment window can be 8-10 weeks.

Citations

  1. Heinlein, C. A., Chang, C. Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer. EndocrineReviews, 25(2), 276–308. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2002-0032
  2. Horoszewicz, J. S., Leong, S. S., Kawinski, E., Karr, J. P., Rosenthal, H., Chu, T. M., Mirand, E. A., & Murphy, G. P. (1983). LNCaP model of human prostatic carcinoma. Cancer research, 43(4), 1809–1818.
  3. James, N. D., Tannock, I., N’Dow, J., Feng, F., Gillessen, S., Ali, S. A., Trujillo, B., Al-Lazikani, B., Attard, G., Bray, F., Compérat, E., Eeles, R., Fatiregun, O., Grist, E., Halabi, S., Haran, Á., Herchenhorn, D., Hofman, M. S., Jalloh, M., Loeb, S., … Xie, L. P. (2024). The Lancet Commission on prostate cancer: planning for the surge in cases. Lancet (London, England), 403(10437), 1683–1722. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00651-2
  4. Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 71(3), 209–249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660