History Features TRAMP and the Neuroendocrine Phenotype Uses TRAMP HistoPathology- self guided slide show Video Instruction Manual and Guide The autochthonous TRAMP model has a number of distinct advantages over existing models: 1) the transgene is specific for the epithelial cells of the prostate; 2) the tumor tissue histologically resembles the human disease (with severe hyperplasia and cribriform structures appearing as early as 10 weeks); 3) the tumors arise with a short latency period and with 100% frequency; 4) the mice exhibit progressive stages of prostate cancer ranging from mild to severe prostatic hyperplasia with cribriform structures and focal adenocarcinoma and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI); 5) metastatic spread of the disease to the lymph nodes, lung and bone has been observed; 6) the mouse model can be used to follow the progression/multi-stage development of disease all within a 10 - 20 week time period; 7) the mouse models exhibit less morbidity and mortality due to complications with other organs as seen in other transgenic models; and 8) the TRAMP model was generated in an inbred strain to facilitate immunological studies. It is anticipated that the establishment of the TRAMP model will facilitate many new avenues of research towards better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To see how we assembled the TRAMP PB-Tag transgene, click here (PDF).