Emerging Therapies in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Curr Oncol Rep. 2018 Apr 11;20(6):46. doi: 10.1007/s11912-018-0692-z.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In the last decade, there have been multiple landmark therapeutic advances for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, both in the castration-resistant and hormone-sensitive setting. In this review, we highlight recent progress and ongoing trials for metastatic prostate cancer, including advances in chemotherapy, androgen receptor-directed therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.

Recent findings: Several landmark studies for men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer demonstrated improvement in overall survival with the addition of docetaxel chemotherapy or abiraterone acetate to standard androgen deprivation therapy. A single-arm phase 2 study of the PARP inhibitor olaparib demonstrated high response rates and more favorable progression-free and overall survival for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and DNA repair defects treated with olaparib compared with men without DNA repair defects. Multiple ongoing clinical trials are investigating novel hormonal therapies and combinations of chemotherapy, targeted small molecules, immunotherapy, and radiopharmaceuticals. Progress continues to be made in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, and ongoing clinical trials continue to investigate novel agents and approaches to treatment.

Keywords: Chemohormonal therapy; Hormonal therapy; Immunotherapy; Metastatic castration-resistant prostate Cancer; Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate Cancer; Radiopharmaceuticals; Targeted small molecules; Targeting DNA repair defects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Therapy / trends*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / trends*
  • Male
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / trends*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*