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Updated: Sep 4, 2025

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Second generation androgen receptor antagonists and challenges in prostate cancer treatment
Yanhua Chen1, Qianqian Zhou1, William Hankey2
1Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is a hormone-dependent malignancy, whose onset and progression are closely related to the activity of the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. Due to this critical role of AR signaling in driving prostate cancer, therapy targeting the AR pathway has been the mainstay strategy for metastatic prostate cancer treatment. The utility of these agents has expanded with the emergence of second-generation AR antagonists, which began with the approval of enzalutamide in 2012 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Together with apalutamide and darolutamide, which were approved in 2018 and 2019, respectively, these agents have improved the survival of patients with prostate cancer, with applications for both androgen-dependent and castration-resistant disease. While patients receiving these drugs receive a benefit in the form of prolonged survival, they are not cured and ultimately progress to lethal neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Here we summarize the current state of AR antagonist development and highlight the emerging challenges of their clinical application and the potential resistance mechanisms, which might be addressed by combination therapies or the development of novel AR-targeted therapies.
Insights
Androgen receptor (AR) antagonists improve survival for prostate cancer patients but do not cure the disease. Emerging challenges include resistance mechanisms and progression to neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a hormone-dependent malignancy driven by the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway.
- AR signaling pathway inhibitors are the primary treatment for metastatic prostate cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current AR antagonist development for prostate cancer.
- To highlight clinical application challenges and resistance mechanisms.
- To explore potential combination therapies and novel AR-targeted treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on AR antagonist therapies.
- Analysis of clinical trial data and resistance mechanisms.
- Exploration of emerging therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Second-generation AR antagonists (enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide) have improved patient survival.
- These agents are effective in both androgen-dependent and castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- Patients eventually progress to lethal neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) despite treatment.
Conclusions:
- AR antagonists offer survival benefits but do not provide a cure for prostate cancer.
- Resistance mechanisms and progression to NEPC present significant challenges.
- Combination therapies and novel AR-targeted agents are needed to overcome resistance and improve outcomes.
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