Intra-prostatic Injection of Cancer Cells: A Technique to Deliver Cancer Cells for Establishing Orthotopic Prostate Cancer Mouse Model

Intra-prostatic orthotopic tumor injection delivers tumor cells matching the prostate tissue histotype directly into the prostate gland of the recipient animal.

To begin, prep an anesthetized male mouse in the supine position. Make a midline abdominal incision and dissect the inner musculature to expose the abdominal cavity. Locate one of the anterior prostate lobes. These prostate lobes are attached to the lesser curvature of the seminal vesicles and lie close to the urinary bladder.

Now, inject a chilled suspension of prostate cancer cells mixed with the desired basement membrane matrix into the long axis of the anterior prostate lobe. Ensure complete delivery of the cell suspension and gently retract the needle. Allow the matrix to solidify and embed the cells within.

Subsequently, place the prostate lobe along with the seminal vesicle back into the abdominal cavity. Suture the surgical incision. Allow the mouse to recover. Check the mouse weekly to observe the growth of orthotopic tumors within the anterior prostate lobe.