After an average of 18-36 months under androgen suppression therapy by surgical castration, LHRH, and steroidal or non-steroidal antiandrogens, almost all patients with metastatic prostate cancer show PSA progression as a sign of androgen-independent but still androgen-sensitive tumor growth. Our understanding and the treatment of such castration-resistant prostate cancer has changed markedly. The introduction of new drugs like abiraterone and MDV3100 has shown that prostate cancer progression even in the"hormone-refractory" stage is driven by androgen receptor signaling. Based on this information the question of whether androgen deprivation therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer should be continued or not is still of relevance. This review gives a critical overview of the literature and current guideline recommendations.
Written by:
Spahn M, Krebs M. Are you the author?
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinik Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland.
Reference: Urologe A. 2012 Jan;51(1):15-9.
doi: 10.1007/s00120-011-2738-9
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22258371
Article in German.
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