Molecular genetics of prostate cancer: new prospects for old challenges

  1. Cory Abate-Shen3,4,5,7
  1. 1Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA;
  2. 2Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA;
  3. 3Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA;
  4. 4Department of Urology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA;
  5. 5Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA

    Abstract

    Despite much recent progress, prostate cancer continues to represent a major cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in men. Since early studies on the role of the androgen receptor that led to the advent of androgen deprivation therapy in the 1940s, there has long been intensive interest in the basic mechanisms underlying prostate cancer initiation and progression, as well as the potential to target these processes for therapeutic intervention. Here, we present an overview of major themes in prostate cancer research, focusing on current knowledge of principal events in cancer initiation and progression. We discuss recent advances, including new insights into the mechanisms of castration resistance, identification of stem cells and tumor-initiating cells, and development of mouse models for preclinical evaluation of novel therapuetics. Overall, we highlight the tremendous research progress made in recent years, and underscore the challenges that lie ahead.

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