Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinoma: an update on recent developments

The most recent developments relating to neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer are reviewed. In vivo and in vitro experimental models of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer are emphasized with a discussion of their fidelity to the actual human in vivo situation. The contribution of these models to our understanding of the process of neuroendocrine differentiation and the mechanisms by which neuroendocrine differentiation can affect prognosis is discussed. Finally, an hypothosis is proprosed integrating neuroendocrine differentiation into more traditional models of the evolution, differentiation pathways and progression of prostate cancer, particularly in the androgen independent state.