Redefining Hormone Resistance in Prostate Cancer
December 2009
in “
Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology
”
Studysummary This discussion proposes a model to incorporate patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer into the existing framework by redefining hormone resistance and exploring new therapeutic approaches.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document from 2009 redefines hormone resistance in prostate cancer by emphasizing the complexity of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). It critiques the outdated terms "hormone-sensitive" and "hormone-refractory," proposing a classification based on castration status. The paper highlights the potential of new therapies targeting AR signaling, including abiraterone acetate, which showed significant antitumor activity in phase I and II studies, and MDV3100, a second-generation AR antagonist with promising results in a phase I/II trial with 140 patients. It also discusses the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion, found in over 50% of prostate tumors, which is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. The document introduces the term "androgen depleted" to describe tumors that progress despite castration and suggests that combination therapies targeting both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent AR pathways may be more effective.
