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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Novel therapeutic strategies for androgen-independent prostate cancer: an update
Vasily J Assikis1, Jonathan W Simons
1Winship Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer Translational Research Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Abstract:
Close to 30,000 men will die from prostate cancer in the United States in 2003. Hormonal ablation, the basis of systemic therapy, will invariably fail to control the progression of metastatic prostate cancer in the long run. For many years the only available therapeutic modalities for patients with metastatic androgen independent prostate cancer have been second-line hormonal maneuvers with estrogens or steroids and chemotherapy. So far, chemotherapy has been shown to confer adequate palliation but no overall survival benefit in prospective randomized controlled trials, and the only chemotherapy drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are mitoxantrone and estramustine. Novel treatment strategies that aim at specific signaling pathways, apoptosis, differentiation, or specific membranous targets are being developed. Such new therapeutic modalities, along with recent data on immunotherapy and bone targeting strategies, will be reviewed here.
Insights
Prostate cancer remains a significant threat, with current treatments like hormonal ablation and chemotherapy offering limited long-term survival benefits for metastatic disease. New strategies targeting specific pathways, apoptosis, and immunotherapy show promise for future prostate cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men.
- Hormonal ablation, a standard systemic therapy, eventually fails in metastatic prostate cancer.
- Current treatments for metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer include hormonal maneuvers and chemotherapy, with limited survival benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel treatment strategies for metastatic prostate cancer.
- To discuss emerging therapies targeting specific signaling pathways, apoptosis, and membranous targets.
- To cover recent advancements in prostate cancer immunotherapy and bone-targeting strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current and developing therapeutic modalities.
- Analysis of data on novel treatment strategies for advanced prostate cancer.
- Discussion of clinical trial outcomes for emerging therapies.
Main Results:
- Chemotherapy provides palliation but no overall survival benefit in randomized trials.
- Approved chemotherapy drugs include mitoxantrone and estramustine.
- Novel strategies targeting specific pathways, apoptosis, and immunotherapy are under development.
Conclusions:
- Existing treatments for metastatic prostate cancer have limitations.
- New therapeutic approaches offer potential for improved outcomes.
- Further research into targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and bone-targeting strategies is crucial for advancing prostate cancer care.
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