Nonhuman Primates as Models for Studies of Prostate Specific Antigen and Prostatic Diseases
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Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Prostate
Abstract
Because prostate specific antigen (PSA) is released at increased levels into
the blood early in the development of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and
prostatitis, it is widely used as a marker for these diseases. However, PSAhas clinical limitations
as a screen for prostatic diseases due to its low sensitivity and specificity. There is a strong need
to better understand the biology of PSA and factors affecting its serum levels.
METHODS. Weevaluated cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, baboons, and marmosets
for their suitability as models for the study of PSA biology and prostatic diseases.
RESULTS. Prostates of several nonhuman primates are anatomically similar to the human
counterpart. Anti-human PSA antibody detected PSA antigens in all the Old World monkeys
(cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, and baboons) but not in marmosets. Of the Old
World monkeys, cynomolgus macaques have the highest serum PSA levels; baboons have the
lowest. Serum PSA levels from macaques includes a number of outlier samples with unusually
high values. We also report two cases of abnormal pathologies in macaques accompanied by
high serum PSA levels. One case consisted of prostatic hyperplasia involving both glandular
and basal cells in a cynomolgus macaque and another of glandular hyperplasia and atrophy in a
rhesus macaque. The finding that pathological changes in the prostate of macaques may lead to
increases in serum PSA is worthy of further exploration.
CONCLUSION. Cynomolgus macaques and rhesus macaques are promising animal models
for PSA biology studies.
Description
Keywords
PSA, Nonhuman primates, Prostate, Macaque, Baboon
Citation
Mubiru, J. N., Hubbard, G. B., Dick Jr, E. J., Furman, J., Troyer, D. A., & Rogers, J. (2008). Nonhuman primates as models for studies of prostate specific antigen and prostatic diseases. The Prostate, 68(14), 1546-1554.10.1002/pros.20814