R3327 prostate adenocarcinoma clonogenic cells: epithelial properties and hormone response.

Cell colonies derived from the clonogenic tumor cell [colony-forming cell, prostate adenocarcinoma (CFC-PA)] assayed in vitro from the R3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma demonstrate prostate acid phosphatase activity when assayed histochemically and convert testosterone to stanolone. The number of CFC-PA/10(4) cells plated in steroid-free cultures was increased following the addition of testosterone or stanolone and decreased following the addition of 17 beta-estradiol. The decreased rate of growth of the R3327 tumor in castrated male inbred Copenhagen rats when compared to the growth measured in normal (intact) male and female inbred Copenhagen rats was reflected in a large decrease in the number of CFC-PA/10(4) cells plated from tumors grown in castrated male rats when compared to the values obtained from tumors that were grown in normal male and female rats. Furthermore, the replacement of fetal calf serum with normal male or castrated male rat serum resulted in little change in CFC-PA/10(4) cells plated in cultures established from tumors grown in castrated rats, although significant increases in CFC-PA were observed in cultures established from tumors grown in normal male or female rats.