Castration-resistant prostate cancer: targeted therapies
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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
S Leo1, C Accettura, V Lorusso
1U.S.S. Oncologia Geriatrica, Ospedale Vito Fazzi, Lecce, Italia.
Background:
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) refers to patients who no longer respond to surgical or medical castration. Standard treatment options are limited.
Objective:
To review the concepts and rationale behind targeted agents currently in late-stage clinical testing for patients with CRPC.
Methods:
Novel targeted therapies in clinical trials were identified from registries. The Medline database was searched for all relevant reports published from 1996 to October 2009. Bibliographies of the retrieved articles and major international meeting abstracts were hand-searched to identify additional studies.
Results:
Advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer (PCa) progression have translated into a variety of treatment approaches. Agents targeting androgen receptor activation and local steroidogenesis, angiogenesis, immunotherapy, apoptosis, chaperone proteins, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway, RANK ligand, endothelin receptors, and the Src family kinases are entering or have recently completed accrual to phase III trials for patients with CRPC.
Conclusions:
There has been an increase in the understanding of the mechanisms of progression of CRPC. A number of new agents targeting mechanisms of PCa progression with early promising results are in clinical trials and have the potential to provide novel treatment options for CRPC in the near future.
Insights
New targeted therapies are emerging for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), offering hope for patients with limited standard treatment options. These agents target key molecular pathways driving cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to limited treatment efficacy.
- Understanding the molecular drivers of CRPC is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging targeted agents in late-stage clinical trials for CRPC.
- To explore the scientific rationale behind these novel therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Medline (1996-2009) and clinical trial registries.
- Hand-searching of bibliographies and conference abstracts for relevant studies.
- Identification of novel targeted therapies in phase III trials for CRPC.
Main Results:
- Advances in understanding prostate cancer (PCa) progression have led to diverse targeted treatment strategies.
- Agents targeting androgen receptor, angiogenesis, immunotherapy, and other pathways are in late-stage trials.
- These novel agents address critical molecular mechanisms in CRPC.
Conclusions:
- Increased understanding of CRPC progression mechanisms is driving therapeutic innovation.
- Several new agents show promising early results in clinical trials.
- These targeted therapies hold potential for improved treatment options for CRPC patients.
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