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Updated: May 11, 2026

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
07:25

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Published on: March 6, 2018

Molecular aspects of androgenic signaling and possible targets for therapeutic intervention in prostate cancer

Zoran Culig1, Frédéric R Santer

  • 1Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. zoran.culig@i-med.ac.at

Steroids
|May 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Novel prostate cancer therapies target the androgen axis. Drugs like abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide show promise, but resistance mechanisms like intracrine synthesis and variant receptors remain challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The androgen axis is critical for non-organ-confined prostate cancer treatment.
  • Tumor cells exhibit intracrine androgen synthesis, a key factor in treatment development.
  • Novel drugs like abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide target this axis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of the androgen axis in prostate cancer.
  • To discuss novel therapeutic strategies targeting androgen synthesis and receptor activity.
  • To highlight challenges in endocrine therapy, including resistance mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on prostate cancer, androgen axis, and therapeutics.
  • Analysis of drug mechanisms, including abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide.
  • Examination of resistance pathways, such as intracrine synthesis and AR variants.

Main Results:

  • Abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide demonstrate clinical benefits by targeting the androgen axis.
  • Overexpressed AR coactivators and targeting of AR by miRNAs present therapeutic complexities.
  • Truncated AR variants exhibit ligand-independent activity, contributing to treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Despite advancements, resistance to endocrine therapy in prostate cancer persists.
  • Intracrine androgen synthesis and emergent AR variants are significant challenges.
  • Further research is needed to overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes for advanced prostate cancer.
Keywords:
Androgen receptorCoactivatorsIntracrine synthesisProstate cancerTruncated androgen receptormiRNA

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