Targeted therapy in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer

Abstract

In the field of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, a bevy of novel therapeutics have recently been proven to extend survival via distinct mechanisms of action. Although revolutionary, these recent developments have not led to improved cure rates, and resistance eventually develops.Thus, further exploration into the biologic mechanisms of resistance to these new agents in prostate cancer has been necessary. This has opened the door to the development of agents designed to manipulate alternative biologic targets. In this review, we focus on the testosterone/androgen receptor pathway that is being targeted with potent new agents; we also discuss other important alternative biologic pathways that have given rise to new therapeutics that may attenuate prostate cancer growth, survival, and propagation.