Isolation and Characterization of Prostatic Tumor Effusions

Abstract In evaluating the relationship between tumor growth and its microenvironment, this preliminary study was undertaken to determine the correlation between prostaglandin (PG) levels, tumor size, histology and their metastatic potential. Peritumoral effusions of the three tumor sublines with different growth rates and metastatic capacity were assayed for levels of prostaglandins E 2 and F 2 α. The sublines of the Dunning prostatic adenocarcinoma tumor model included: R3327 Mat LyLu (fast growing, highly metastatic), R3327G (fast growing, poorly metastatic) and R3327H (slow growing, poorly metastatic). The levels of PGF 2 α was highly variable with no significant difference between the tumor sublines. However, the mean values of PGF 2 α in each group were higher when measured in smaller tumors. The levels of PGE 2 measured in Mat LyLu tumor effusions were considerably higher than those values obtained from the nonmetastasizing G and H sublines. The data suggests that PGE 2 may function as a modulator of tumor cell metastasis.