Molecular basis and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer: A comprehensive review

Authors

  • Florentina Claudia Militaru Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5913-3287
  • Valentin Militaru Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Internal Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca,Romania
  • Nicolae Crisan Department of Urology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Ioana Corina Bocsan Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Anghel Adrian Udrea Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Andreea Catana Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Institute of Oncology I. Chiricuta, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Eniko Kutasi Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Mariela Sanda Militaru Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2023.8782

Keywords:

Prostate cancer, pathways, genetic syndromes, targeted therapy

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in male patients. The incidence increases with age, and it is higher among African Americans. The occurrence of prostate cancer is associated with many risk factors, including genetic and hereditary predisposition. The most common genetic syndromes associated with prostate cancer risk are BRCA-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome. Local-regional therapy, i.e., surgery is beneficial in early-stage prostate cancer management. Advanced and metastatic prostate cancers require systemic therapies, including hormonal inhibition, chemotherapy, and targeted agents. Most prostate cancers can be treated by targeting the androgen-receptor pathway and decreasing androgen production or binding to androgen receptors (AR). Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) usually involves the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and requires targeted therapy. Specific molecular therapy can target mutated cell lines in which DNA defect repair is altered, caused by mutations of BRCA2, partner and localizer of BRCA2 (PALB2), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) or the transmembrane protease serine 2-ERG (TMPRSS2-ERG) fusion. Most benefits were demonstrated in cyclin dependent-kinase 12 (CDK12) mutated cell lines when treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) therapy. Therapies targeting p53 and AKT are the subject of ongoing clinical trials. Many genetic defects are listed as diagnostic, prognostic, and clinically actionable markers in prostate cancer. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) is an important oncogenic driver and an early diagnostic and prognostic marker, as well as a therapeutic target in hormone-resistant CRPC. This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanisms and available targeted therapies for prostate cancer.

Author Biographies

  • Florentina Claudia Militaru, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

  • Valentin Militaru, Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Internal Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca,Romania

     

     

     

     

  • Nicolae Crisan, Department of Urology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

  • Ioana Corina Bocsan, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

  • Anghel Adrian Udrea, Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

  • Andreea Catana, Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Institute of Oncology I. Chiricuta, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

  • Eniko Kutasi, Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

  • Mariela Sanda Militaru, Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

     

     

A comprehensive review on the molecular basis and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer

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Published

04-09-2023

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Reviews

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How to Cite

1.
Molecular basis and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer: A comprehensive review. Biomol Biomed [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 4 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];23(5):760–771. Available from: https://www.bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/8782