Androgen receptor directed therapies in castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer

Recent results of phase III randomized studies confirm that targeting the androgen receptor (AR)-through inhibition of androgen synthesis or through AR targeting directly-can improve survival for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a condition previously considered to be "refractory" to further hormonal manipulation. These data validate in the clinical setting much of the scientific work of the previous decade that has demonstrated the extent of and mechanisms behind retained AR signaling in advanced prostate cancer. The convergence of these observations effectively changes the perspective with which androgen deprivation is utilized in prostate cancer, and forms the basis for further expansion of systemic therapy in the disease. In this review, the rationale for and clinical results with these new therapies will be discussed as will the future directions required to fully leverage these therapeutic modalities to the maximum clinical benefit for patients.