Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Murine Prostate Micro-dissection and Surgical Castration
08:49

Murine Prostate Micro-dissection and Surgical Castration

Published on: May 11, 2016

Emerging Variants of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Panagiotis J Vlachostergios1, Loredana Puca1, Himisha Beltran2

  • 1Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street 1412,, New York, NY, 10021, USA.

Current Oncology Reports
|April 1, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) shows significant heterogeneity. Understanding variants like neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC) is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) presents considerable heterogeneity.
  • Androgen receptor (AR) signaling drives most CRPC, guiding treatment selection.
  • Resistance to AR-directed therapies can lead to tumor dependence on AR diminishing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review prostate cancer variants, including neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC).
  • To discuss the clinical implications of these prostate cancer variants.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding biologic mechanisms and molecular features for improved prognostication and novel therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of prostate cancer variants.
  • Analysis of clinical, pathologic, and molecular heterogeneity in CRPC.
  • Discussion of resistance phenotypes and AR signaling.

Main Results:

  • CRPC exhibits significant heterogeneity.
  • AR signaling remains a key driver, but resistance mechanisms emerge.
  • NEPC and AVPC represent distinct aggressive subtypes with unique clinical implications.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the molecular features of prostate cancer variants is essential for prognostication.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies for CRPC subclasses can be developed by studying these variants.
  • Further research into the biology of NEPC and AVPC is critical for advancing treatment.
Keywords:
Aggressive variantAndrogen indifferenceAndrogen-independent prostate cancerCastration-resistant prostate cancerNeuroendocrine prostate cancerSmall-cell prostate cancer

More Related Videos

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer07:25

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

Published on: March 6, 2018

Sequencing Small Non-coding RNA from Formalin-fixed Tissues and Serum-derived Exosomes from Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients12:13

Sequencing Small Non-coding RNA from Formalin-fixed Tissues and Serum-derived Exosomes from Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients

Published on: November 19, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...