VCAP cells represent a significant tool in scientific research, offering a powerful model system for understanding various aspects of human health. These cells are a specific type of cell line, meaning they are cells that can be grown and maintained in a laboratory setting for extended periods. Their unique properties make them particularly relevant for studying complex biological processes and developing new therapeutic strategies.
What Are VCAP Cells?
VCAP cells are a human prostate cancer cell line, which originated from prostate cancer tissue. They were established in 1997 from a metastatic tumor found in the vertebrae of a 59-year-old male patient with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Initially, the tissue was passaged as xenografts in mice, involving transplanting human cells into an animal model. After successful growth in mice, the cells were cultured in vitro (in a laboratory dish) to establish them as an immortalized cell line. This process provides a continuous supply of these cells for ongoing studies, making them a valuable model for prostate cancer research.
Key Characteristics of VCAP Cells
VCAP cells possess biological features that contribute to their utility. They exhibit high expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and are sensitive to male hormones known as androgens. This is important because prostate cancer growth is often driven by androgens. VCAP cells also express the androgen receptor splice variant, AR-V7, which is a truncated form of the receptor associated with resistance to certain prostate cancer treatments.
VCAP cells have the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion. This specific chromosomal rearrangement is common in approximately 50% of human prostate cancer cases. The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion results in increased ERG protein expression, which plays a role in prostate cancer progression. This fusion makes VCAP cells a model for studying the molecular underpinnings of prostate cancer, especially tumors with this genetic alteration.
Applications in Prostate Cancer Research
VCAP cells serve as a model for studying prostate cancer biology, including its growth, progression, and treatment response. For instance, VCAP cells are used in drug discovery and testing to evaluate new anticancer agents. Their ability to form tumors in immunodeficient mice also makes them useful for preclinical studies of novel drugs.
VCAP cells help understand how prostate cancer develops resistance to hormone therapy. Most advanced prostate cancers initially respond to androgen deprivation therapy but eventually become resistant. VCAP cells, which can develop an androgen-independent phenotype, provide a platform to study these mechanisms. Researchers can investigate the role of specific genes, like the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion, in cancer development and how this fusion might impact treatment responses. Their responsiveness to androgen and ability to become castration-resistant in vivo make them suitable for advanced prostate cancer research.