ABSTRACT

In developed countries, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of death from cancer in men. Because of t he widespread using of PSA test in screening program, most patients are diagnosed with low-risk clinically localized disease that can be treated effectively with surgery and radiotherapy. Nonetheless, about 15-20% of patients will be diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Androgen deprivation therapy reduces tumor activity in about 80% of patients with advanced diseased, but most tumors relapse within 2 years to an incurable hormone-resistant state. Currently, every 3-week dosetaxel and daily prednisone is standard treatment option in hormone resistant prostate cancer (HRPC). The mean survival benefit in these therapy only measured 2 and 2.5 months. Median survival for HRPC patients treated with dosetaxel is now approximately 18-20 months. After progression on docetaxel, HRPC patients have a very poor prognosis, with median survival of approximately 6-10 months. Current treatment options for HRPC remain unsatisfactory and better management options are required. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in prostate carcinogenesis has lead to the development of a number of potential targeted new drugs such as antiangiogenic agents, specific inhibitors of key signalling molecules. This article reviews signaling pathways involved in prostate carcinogenesis and targeted therapy in HRPC.