Phenotypic characterization of two novel cell line models of castration resistant prostate cancer

Purpose: Resistance to androgen deprivation therapies is a major driver of mortality in advanced prostate cancer. Therefore, there is a need to develop new pre-clinical models that allow the investigation of resistance mechanisms and the assessment of drugs for the treatment of castration resistant prostate cancer. Methods: We generated two novel cell line models (LAPC4-CR and VCaP-CR) which were derived by passaging LAPC4 and VCaP cells in vivo and in vitro under castrate conditions. We performed detailed transcriptomic (RNA-seq) to delineate expression differences between castration-sensitive and castration-resistant cell lines. LAPC4-CR and VCaP-CR cell lines maintained AR expression, but exhibited distinct expression changes on the mRNA and protein level. Integrated analyses including data from LNCaP and the previously described castration resistant LNCaP-abl cells revealed an expression signature of castration resistance. Results: Integrated analyses including data from LNCaP and the previously described castration resistant LNCaP-abl cells revealed an expression signature of castration resistance. Overall design: Expression profiles of castration sensitive and castration resistant prostate cancer cell lines