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Growth factor and signaling pathways and their relevance to prostate cancer therapeutics
Jocelyn L Wozney1, Emmanuel S Antonarakis
1Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Treatments that target the androgen axis represent an effective strategy for patients with advanced prostate cancer, but the disease remains incurable and new therapeutic approaches are necessary. Significant advances have recently occurred in our understanding of the growth factor and signaling pathways that are active in prostate cancer. In conjunction with this, many new targeted therapies with sound preclinical rationale have entered clinical development and are being tested in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Some of the most relevant pathways currently being exploited for therapeutic gain are HGF/c-Met signaling, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, Hedgehog signaling, the endothelin axis, Src kinase signaling, the IGF pathway, and angiogenesis. Here, we summarize the biological basis for the use of selected targeted agents and the results from available clinical trials of these drugs in men with prostate cancer.
Insights
New targeted therapies targeting growth factor and signaling pathways show promise for advanced prostate cancer, offering new hope beyond androgen axis treatments for this incurable disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Androgen axis treatments are effective for advanced prostate cancer but do not cure the disease.
- Understanding of growth factor and signaling pathways in prostate cancer has advanced significantly.
- New targeted therapies are emerging for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the biological rationale for selected targeted agents in prostate cancer.
- To review clinical trial results of these targeted agents in men with prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical data supporting targeted therapies.
- Analysis of clinical trial outcomes for targeted agents in prostate cancer.
Main Results:
- Several key pathways are being targeted, including HGF/c-Met, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Hedgehog, endothelin, Src kinase, IGF, and angiogenesis.
- Targeted therapies are entering clinical development for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies offer a promising new therapeutic approach for advanced prostate cancer.
- Further clinical development and trials are ongoing for these novel agents.
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