Mechanistic concepts in androgen-dependence of prostate cancer

N Craft1, C L Sawyers

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Insights

Androgen blockade treats advanced prostate cancer. New models and signaling research reveal androgen receptor changes are key to cancer progression, even to hormone-refractory disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Androgen blockade is a primary treatment for advanced prostate cancer.
  • Prostate cancer progression involves complex mechanisms of androgen dependence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer.
  • To explore the role of androgen receptor perturbations in disease progression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on xenograft and transgenic models.
  • Analysis of nuclear receptor signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • New models provide insights into androgen dependence.
  • Androgen receptor signaling alterations are implicated early in prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Perturbations in androgen receptor signaling are critical for prostate cancer progression.
  • Understanding these mechanisms may lead to improved therapies for hormone-refractory disease.

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