AR Splicing Variants and Resistance to AR Targeting Agents

Mayuko Kanayama1, Changxue Lu1, Jun Luo1,2

  • 1Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Cancers
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs), particularly AR-V7, are crucial in prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance. Understanding AR-Vs aids in developing better biomarkers and therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Prostate cancer treatment advances necessitate optimal biomarkers for treatment efficacy.
  • Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is a primary target, with resistance often involving AR aberrations.
  • Androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs), especially AR-V7, are implicated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of AR-V generation, regulation, and function.
  • To discuss the clinical significance of AR-Vs in various human specimens.
  • To explore the potential of AR-Vs as prognostic and predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and clinical studies on AR-Vs.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms of AR-V generation and function.
  • Evaluation of clinical utility of AR-V detection in human specimens.

Main Results:

  • AR-Vs, including AR-V7, arise from aberrations in AR signaling.
  • AR-Vs play a significant role in the development of treatment resistance in prostate cancer.
  • AR-V7 shows potential as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in CRPC.

Conclusions:

  • AR-Vs are critical mediators of resistance to AR-targeted therapies in prostate cancer.
  • Further validation of AR-Vs in diverse clinical settings is essential.
  • AR-Vs represent promising targets for novel therapeutic strategies in CRPC.

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