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Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Sequencing Small Non-coding RNA from Formalin-fixed Tissues and Serum-derived Exosomes from Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients
12:13

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

Published on: November 19, 2019

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Androgen Receptor Signaling Pathway in Prostate Cancer: From Genetics to Clinical Applications

Gaetano Aurilio1, Alessia Cimadamore2, Roberta Mazzucchelli2

  • 1Medical Oncology Division of Urogenital and Head and Neck Tumours, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy.

Cells
|December 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Prostate cancer (PCa) often becomes resistant to androgen deprivation therapy. This review explores androgen receptor (AR) signaling, resistance mechanisms, and new therapies for advanced prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Androgen ablation therapy is a primary treatment for most prostate cancer (PCa) cases.
  • However, 20-30% of patients develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa) due to treatment resistance.
  • Resistance mechanisms can be AR-dependent or AR-independent within the AR signaling pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in prostate cancer.
  • To detail AR structure, current AR-targeted therapies, and mechanisms of resistance.
  • To discuss AR crosstalk with other pathways and emerging therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of AR signaling in prostate cancer.
  • Analysis of AR-dependent and -independent resistance mechanisms.
  • Summary of current and novel AR-targeted therapies and drug combinations.

Main Results:

  • Androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays a critical role in prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance.
  • Multiple AR-dependent and -independent mechanisms contribute to castration resistance.
  • New anti-AR drugs and combination therapies show promise for CRPCa and castration-sensitive settings.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding AR signaling and resistance mechanisms is crucial for effective prostate cancer treatment.
  • Emerging therapies targeting AR and its pathways offer new hope for patients with advanced or resistant disease.
  • Further research into AR crosstalk and novel therapeutic combinations is warranted.
Keywords:
AR antagonistsAR resistanceAR variantsAR-V7androgen receptorprostate cancer

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