Prostate cancer: evading immunity, inspiring therapy

Bianca Calì1, Daniela Brina1, Viola Moscarda1

  • 1Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.

Trends in Cancer
|August 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Prostate cancer (PCa) progression involves immune evasion and a suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding these factors is crucial for improving immunotherapy outcomes in advanced PCa.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer death in men, especially in its metastatic and castration-resistant forms.
  • Therapy resistance in advanced PCa is linked to genetic alterations promoting immune evasion and disease progression.
  • Chronic inflammation and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) worsen immune dysfunction in PCa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the immune-evasive features of prostate cancer.
  • To examine the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in PCa immune evasion.
  • To discuss current immunotherapeutic strategies for advanced PCa.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on PCa immunology and immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of mechanisms of immune evasion in prostate cancer.
  • Evaluation of clinical data for immunotherapies in advanced PCa.

Main Results:

  • PCa exhibits significant immune-evasive characteristics.
  • The TME plays a critical role in suppressing anti-tumor immunity.
  • Current immunotherapies show suboptimal clinical success in advanced PCa.

Conclusions:

  • Further research into PCa immune evasion mechanisms is needed.
  • Targeting the TME may enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
  • Novel immunotherapeutic strategies are required for advanced prostate cancer.

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