Treatments and challenges in advanced prostate cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review 

This review is designed to highlight recent research examining treatment progress in advanced prostate cancer while identifying ongoing challenges to clinical outcomes.

Recent findings 

Recent randomized trials suggest an overall survival advantage to treating some men with newly identified metastatic prostate cancer with a “triplet” of androgen deprivation therapy, docetaxel, and an androgen receptor axis-targeted agent. Questions remain about which men are best served by these combinations. Additional treatment success is being identified with prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA)-radiopharmaceuticals, combinations involving targeted therapies, and novel manipulations of the androgen receptor axis. Challenges remain in selecting between available therapies, harnessing immune therapies, and treating tumors with emergent neuroendocrine differentiation.

Summary 

An expanding number of therapeutics are becoming available for men with advanced prostate cancer improving outcomes but at the same time making treatment selection more demanding. Ongoing research will be required to continue to hone treatment paradigms.