New treatment approaches for prostate cancer based on peptide analogues.
OBJECTIVE
New therapy modalities for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer based on peptide analogues are reviewed.


RESULTS
Agonists and antagonists of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) lead to androgen deprivation, but direct effects on tumours may also play a role. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogues can be targeted to tumours expressing receptors for somatostatin and have been successfully applied for the localization of these tumours. Tumoural LHRH, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) and their receptors appear to be involved in the proliferation of prostate cancer. On the basis of the recent advances in the understanding of the role of neuropeptides in tumour growth and progression, new therapeutic modalities are being developed that are based on antagonists of GHRH and of BN/GRP, which inhibit growth factors or their receptors. Another promising approach for the therapy of prostate cancer consists of the use of cytotoxic analogues of LHRH, bombesin, and somatostatin, which can be targeted to receptors for these peptides in prostate cancers and their metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
New promising forms of hormone therapy and targeted chemotherapy may improve therapy of advanced stage prostate cancer.
Stangelberger
Anton
A
Department of Urology University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Schally
Andrew V
AV
Djavan
Bob
B
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001839:Bombesin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018017:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006728:Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D018017:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013004:Somatostatin; C048250:somatotropin releasing hormone receptor; D001839:Bombesin