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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
A comprehensive review of immunotherapies in prostate cancer
Manuel Caitano Maia1, Aaron R Hansen2
1Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), Av. Dr Arnaldo, 251, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm in men worldwide and the fifth cause of cancer-related death. Although multiple new agents have been approved for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer over the last decade, it is still an incurable disease. New strategies to improve cancer control are needed and agents targeting the immune system have shown encouraging results in many tumor types. Despite being attractive for immunotherapies due to the expression of various tumor associated antigens, the microenvironment in prostate cancer is relatively immunosuppressive and may be responsible for the failures of various agents targeting the immune system in this disease. To date, sipuleucel-T is the only immunotherapy that has shown significant clinical efficacy in this setting, although the high cost and potential trial flaws have precluded its widespread incorporation into clinical practice. Issues with patient selection and trial design may have contributed to the multiple failures of immunotherapy in prostate cancer and provides an opportunity to tailor future studies to evaluate these agents more accurately. We have reviewed all the completed immune therapy trials in prostate cancer and highlight important considerations for the next generation of clinical trials.
Insights
Prostate cancer immunotherapy shows promise but faces challenges. Future trials need better patient selection and design to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and improve treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains incurable despite recent therapeutic advances.
- Immunotherapy agents targeting the immune system offer potential but face challenges in prostate cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review completed immunotherapy trials in prostate cancer.
- To identify key considerations for future clinical trial design.
- To improve the efficacy of immunotherapies for prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of completed immune therapy trials in prostate cancer.
- Analysis of factors contributing to immunotherapy success and failure.
- Identification of critical elements for next-generation clinical studies.
Main Results:
- Sipuleucel-T is the only immunotherapy with demonstrated clinical efficacy, but its adoption is limited by cost and trial concerns.
- The prostate cancer microenvironment is often immunosuppressive, hindering immunotherapy effectiveness.
- Past trial designs and patient selection may have impacted immunotherapy outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing patient selection and clinical trial design is crucial for advancing prostate cancer immunotherapy.
- Addressing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is essential for future treatment strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of immunotherapies in prostate cancer.
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