Current Status of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Drug Therapy

Objective: To explore the current therapies on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), such as drug therapy and radiotherapy. Recent Advances: Currently, CRPC is an incurable disease. CRPC treatment options available can only relieve symptoms and prolong the survival time. Because of the in-depth study of resistance mechanisms, various new drugs have been reported, including androgen synthetic inhibitor, abiraterone. Novel targeted therapy and immunotherapy have been thoroughly investigated. The recent advances in well-studied radiotherapy and chemotherapy against CRCP have also been reviewed. In this review, we have summarized new generation hormone drugs (e.g., abiraterone, enzalutamid), chemotherapeutic drugs (docetaxel), targeted therapy drugs, immunotherapy drugs (Sipulecel-T), and radioactive drugs (Radium 223). The overall treatment goals include to prolong OS, to improve quality of life, to relieve symptoms, and to prevent complications in CRCP patients. Conclusions: The use of drug therapy in combination with other drugs might improve the efficacy of CRPC treatment and might help overcome drug resistance.