Horizon scanning for novel therapeutics for the treatment of prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) remain limited. Improved understanding of the underlying molecular drivers of prostate cancer pathogenesis, progression and resistance development has provided the fundamental basis for rational targeted drug design.


METHODS
This review will discuss the most recent developments in the field of prostate cancer therapies including key findings such as the identification of ETS gene rearrangements, the dissection of prostate cancer molecular heterogeneity and the discovery that castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains androgen-driven despite the androgen-depleted milieu, thus making androgen receptor signaling a continued focus of molecularly targeted treatments. A multitude of new molecularly targeted agents are in clinical development and are highly likely to change the current treatment paradigm.


RESULTS
This review will outline the current clinical development of molecular targeted treatments in CRPC.


CONCLUSIONS
Unraveling the complex molecular biology that underpins this heterogeneous disease may pave the way to personalized therapy with a wide range of rationally targeted agents and combination treatments. In conclusion, we can predict that the rational clinical development of new targeted drugs will improve the outcome of men with prostate cancer in the years ahead.
Bianchini
Diletta
D
The Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Section of Medicine, Drug Development Unit, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK.
Zivi
Andrea
A
Sandhu
Shahneen
S
de Bono
Johann S
JS
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; C552428:cabazitaxel