Anti-Cancer Stem-Cell-Targeted Therapies in Prostate Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The standard of care therapy for early prostate cancer (PCa) includes external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy, radical prostatectomy, active surveillance, or a combination approach. For advanced disease, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and other neoadjuvant therapies are considered. Nevertheless, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) develops in many patients. This instigated the development of novel therapeutic approaches using targeted therapies, including prostate cancer stem cell (PCSC)-targeted therapies. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of action of PCSC-targeted therapies and discuss avenues of future development. ABSTRACT: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer in men around the world. It is treated using a risk stratification approach in accordance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in the United States. The main treatment options for early PCa include external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy, radical prostatectomy, active surveillance, or a combination approach. In those with advanced disease, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is considered as a first-line therapy. However, the majority of cases eventually progress while receiving ADT, leading to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The near inevitable progression to CRPC has spurred the recent development of many novel medical treatments using targeted therapies. In this review, we outline the current landscape of stem-cell-targeted therapies for PCa, summarize their mechanisms of action, and discuss avenues of future development.