Growth of Prostatic Epithelial and Stromal Cells In Vitro

Well-established techniques are now in place to culture several of the major types of cells in the prostate. Epithelial cells with characteristics of basal and/or secretory luminal cells can be grown in vitro, as can stromal cells with properties of fibroblasts and/or smooth muscle. In most cases, serum-free media are available for epithelial or stromal cell cultures. Methods have been developed to establish and investigate the properties of cocultures of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells. Use of these in vitro cell cultures has provided much of the information that guides current ideas about prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.