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Neuroendocrine differentiation and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) have been linked to androgen deprivation in prostate cancers. No previous study has directly connected neuroendocrine phenotypes to chemotherapy. The pathogenesis of prostatic NEC has not yet been determined.

Using the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model, we studied tumor progression after hormone ablation (castration) and/or chemotherapy (docetaxel), and analyzed the incidence of NEC as a function of the anti‐tumor therapies. Non‐treated mice were used as controls. Protein expressions in tumor tissues were analyzed by Western blots and immunohistochemistry.

Although all animals developed prostate cancer, no NEC was found in control mice. However, over 30% of the mice that received an anti‐tumor therapy developed NEC. A similar incidence of NEC was …