A new era for castrate resistant prostate cancer: a treatment review and update

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review article is to present the current treatment options for castrate resistant prostate cancer in addition to the recently approved agents and their role in treatment.

Summary: The biology of prostate cancer and the data supporting the use of traditional chemotherapeutic options in castrate resistant prostate cancer are reviewed. The newly approved agents, sipuleucel-T, cabazitaxel, and abiraterone, are presented as well. The studies that led to the approval of these three agents are discussed in this article as well as their current and potential roles in the treatment of castrate resistant prostate cancer.

Conclusion: New mechanisms, drugs, and clinically relevant molecular targets show survival advantage and are new options available for patients after traditional chemotherapy. The roles of these new agents have yet to be further clarified in future studies.