Current and future directions in theranostics for neuroendocrine prostate cancer

Abstract

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is rare at the time of initial diagnosis but much more common in patients treated with the combination of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI) such as abiraterone and enzalutamide. NEPC is typically characterized by the loss of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression while exhibiting variable neuroendocrine markers. Recent advancements in nuclear medicine have provided a promising avenue for the development of molecular imaging techniques and targeted therapies tailored to NEPC. This review examines the current and future role of theranostics in the diagnosis and management of NEPC and explores potential future directions in this rapidly evolving field.