The androgen receptor in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
Asian J Androl
; 11(1): 69-73, 2009 Jan.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19050686
Advanced prostate cancer is responsive to hormone therapy that interferes with androgen receptor (AR) signalling. However, the effect is short-lived, as nearly all tumours progress to a hormone-refractory (HR) state, a lethal stage of the disease. Intuitively, the AR should not be involved because hormone therapy that blocks or reduces AR activity is not effective in treating HR tumours. However, there is still a consensus that AR plays an essential role in HR prostate cancer (HRPC) because AR signalling is still functional in HR tumours. AR signalling can be activated in HR tumours through several mechanisms. First, activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways can sensitize the AR to castrate levels of androgens. Also, mutations in the AR can change AR ligand specificity, thereby allowing it to be activated by non-steroids or anti-androgens. Finally, overexpression of the wild-type AR sensitizes itself to low concentrations of androgens. Therefore, drugs targeting AR signalling could still be effective in treating HRPC.
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Tumeurs de la prostate
/
Récepteurs aux androgènes
Limites:
Humans
/
Male
Langue:
En
Journal:
Asian J Androl
Sujet du journal:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
/
UROLOGIA
Année:
2009
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Chine
Pays de publication:
Chine