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Molecular biology of androgen-independent prostate cancer: the role of the androgen receptor pathway

Clinical and Translational Oncology volume 11, pages 5–10 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) cells express the androgen receptor (AR) and need the presence of androgens to survive. Androgen suppression is the gold standard first-line therapy for metastatic disease. Almost all PC patients initially respond to hormonal therapy, but most of them gradually develop resistance to castration. There is evidence that these tumours that are considered castration-resistant continue to depend on AR signalling. Several mechanisms that enhance AR signalling in an androgen-depleted environment have been elucidated: (1) AR mutations that allow activation by low androgen levels or by other endogenous steroids, (2) AR amplification and/or overexpression, (3) increased local intracrine synthesis of androgens, (4) changes in AR cofactors and (5) cross-talk with cytokines and growth factors. Today, there are a number of novel agents targeting the AR signalling pathway under development, including more effective antiandrogens; inhibitors of CYP17, inhibitors of HSP90, inhibitors of histone deacetylases and inhibitors of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

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Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Department, ICMHO Laboratory of Translational Oncology, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, C/Villarroel, 170, ES-08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Begoña Mellado, Jordi Codony, Laura Visa & Pere Gascón

  2. Urology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain

    María José Ribal

Authors
  1. Begoña Mellado
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  2. Jordi Codony
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  3. María José Ribal
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  4. Laura Visa
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  5. Pere Gascón
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Correspondence to Begoña Mellado.

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Mellado, B., Codony, J., Ribal, M.J. et al. Molecular biology of androgen-independent prostate cancer: the role of the androgen receptor pathway. Clin Transl Oncol 11, 5–10 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-009-0304-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-009-0304-3

Keywords

  • Prostate cancer
  • Androgen-independence
  • Androgen receptor