Assessing the Advantages, Limitations and Potential of Human Primary Prostate Epithelial Cells as a Pre-clinical Model for Prostate Cancer Research

Abstract

Choosing an appropriate cell model(s) is the first decision to be made before starting a new project or programme of study. Here, we address the rationale that can be behind this decision and we summarise the current cell models that are used to study prostate cancer. Researchers face the challenge of choosing a model that recapitulates the complexity and heterogeneity of prostate cancer. The use of primary prostate epithelial cells cultured from patient tissue is discussed, and the necessity for close clinical-academic collaboration in order to do this is highlighted. Finally, a novel quantitative phase imaging technique is described, along with the potential for cell characterisation to not only include gene expression and protein markers but also morphological features, cell behaviour and kinetic activity.

ETS transcription factor ELF3 (ESE‐1) is a cell cycle regulator in benign and malignant prostate

“…Irradiation of STOs was carried out using an X‐RAD iR225 irradiator. Notably, primary prostate epithelial cells are not luminal cells because luminal cells cannot be cultured as they are terminally differentiated; however, these primary prostate epithelial cells can be pushed to differentiate in differing culture conditions [ 22 , 23 ] and several studies have shown that the primary cells from cancers are different to the primary cells from BPH, using measurements such as invasiveness, drug response and the presence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion, thus making them a valid model to study PCa [ 24 ].…”