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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Emerging Targets For Prostate Adenocarcinoma Therapy: How Molecular Biology May Drive Towards a More Tailored
Maria Raffaella Ambrosio1, Luigi Pirtoli, Maria Teresa del Vecchio
1Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Siena, Via delle Scotte 6, 53100 Siena, Italy. maradot@libero.it.
Abstract:
Prostate adenocarcinoma is the most diagnosed male cancer in the Western world and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Albeit most of the patients with prostate adenocarcinoma are currently treated by surgery and/or radiation therapy, more than 30-40% of affected subjects will eventually progress and develop advanced disease. To date, management decisions depend on the clinical stage of the patient and the histological diagnosis which unfortunately often lack to predict the real prognosis. Current therapies have shown to be insufficient, mainly in the metastatic disease. For clear-cut diagnosis and follow-up, we promptly need molecular markers also useful in predicting patient's outcome. Advances in cancer genomics have led to a plethora of biomarkers, which must now to be rigorously validated in the clinical setting. Recent insights on prostate adenocarcinoma biology which unveiled some of the biological mechanisms leading to this tumour, have managed in devising novel strategies for therapy. Immunotherapeutic agents, selective adrenal inhibitors, anti-angiogenic molecules, newly engineered androgen receptor inhibitors, compounds targeting the bone microenvironment are demonstrated to limit cancer growth by blocking specific signaling pathways. Such strategies can be complemented to existing therapeutic paradigm in improving beneficial outcome. Moreover, other emerging pharmacological compounds have shown encouraging results and several clinical trials are ongoing. This review summarizes the developing targeted therapies for prostate adenocarcinoma and discuss their potential benefit mainly in the castration- resistant forms.
Insights
Prostate adenocarcinoma, a common male cancer, often progresses despite initial treatment. This review explores emerging targeted therapies, including immunotherapies and novel inhibitors, to improve outcomes for advanced and castration-resistant forms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genitourinary Cancer Research
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Prostate adenocarcinoma is a leading male cancer, with over 30-40% of patients progressing to advanced disease despite surgery or radiation.
- Current diagnostic methods (clinical stage, histology) often fail to predict prognosis accurately, necessitating better biomarkers.
- Existing therapies are insufficient for metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging targeted therapies for prostate adenocarcinoma.
- To discuss the potential benefits of these novel agents, particularly in castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- To highlight the importance of molecular markers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in prostate adenocarcinoma biology and targeted therapies.
- Analysis of novel therapeutic strategies including immunotherapies, anti-angiogenic agents, and androgen receptor inhibitors.
- Discussion of compounds targeting specific signaling pathways and the bone microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Advances in cancer genomics have identified numerous potential biomarkers requiring clinical validation.
- Novel targeted therapies demonstrate potential in limiting cancer growth by blocking specific signaling pathways.
- Emerging pharmacological compounds and ongoing clinical trials show promising results for advanced disease.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies offer new hope for improving outcomes in prostate adenocarcinoma, especially in castration-resistant forms.
- Personalized treatment strategies based on molecular markers are crucial for effective management.
- Combination therapies and novel agents are essential to overcome treatment limitations in advanced prostate cancer.
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