To assess the characteristics of this cell line with regard to basal intermediate and luminal origin within the prostate, we have employed a quantitative real-time PCR based assay to determine the expression of markers that distinguish the hierarchy of prostate cancer cells (AR, PSA, cytokeratin 18, 14, 8, 5 and p63) alongside three widely used human prostate cancer cell lines - LNCAP, DU-145 and PC-3. This evidence concerns the gene KRT18 and prostate cancer.