Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. In the early-stage, prostate cancer can be effectively treated with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods.

However, in some cases, cancer cells do not respond to these standard treatments. This is termed as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). While CRPC patients have several treatment options, here are some of the new therapeutic options that are helping in treating CRPC.

1. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a new approach to treat cancer that is based on the patient’s immune system.

It involves the use of synthetic antibodies to target certain cells, boosting the immune system, or changing how the cancer cells present themselves to the immune system. There are two types of immunotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly Pembrolizumab.

2. DNA repair pathway inhibitors

DNA repair mutations are a common cause of prostate cancer and are responsible for resistance to some conventional treatments.

DNA repair pathway inhibitors such as PARP inhibitors, have been shown to be effective in treating CRPC in patients with BRCA mutations. These inhibitors can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

3. Targeted therapies

Targeted therapies are drugs that target specific genes or proteins in cancer cells that are involved in the growth or spread of cancer.

Some of these therapies are effective in treating CRPC, such as Abiraterone acetate, which inhibits the production of androgens in the testes and adrenal glands. Enzalutamide, a non-steroidal anti-androgen, is another targeted therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating CRPC by blocking the effects of androgens on prostate cancer cells.

4. Radiopharmaceuticals

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that combine a radioactive substance and a cancer cell-targeting molecule that delivers the radiation to the cancer cell.

Radiopharmaceuticals such as Radium-223 dichloride recently approved by the FDA, work by selectively binding to areas of micro-metastases, thereby improving overall survival in CRPC patients.

5. Combination therapy

Combination therapy involves the use of two or more drugs to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness. Sometimes drugs are combined with radiation therapy to increase the cancer-killing effect.

Some of the most effective combination therapies for CRPC are the combination of Abiraterone acetate with Prednisone, or Enzalutamide with Betamethasone, which have all shown a significant reduction of the risk of death.

6. Natural therapies

Natural therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, or dietary supplements are also becoming a popular choice for CRPC patients.

Some studies have shown that herbal medicines such as shark cartilage or saw palmetto can relieve symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Acupuncture and other complementary therapies can reduce pain and improve overall quality of life.

7. Gene therapy

Gene therapy, a new frontier for cancer treatment, involves the transfer of genetic material to a patient’s cells to replace or modify defective genes that are involved in cancer growth.

Early studies suggest promising outcomes for the use of gene therapy in treating advanced prostate cancer. This approach has the potential to reverse cancer resistance to conventional therapies in CRPC patients.

8. Cytotoxic immunotherapy

Cytotoxic immunotherapy is another new approach that enhances the body’s immune system by injecting dendritic cells loaded with prostate cancer cells. It activates the immune system to create an immune response against cancer cells.

Cytotoxic immunotherapy showed impressive success when combined with standard chemotherapy.

9. Radio-immunotherapy

Radio-immunotherapy, a combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy, is a recent addition to cancer treatment. Radio-immunotherapy works by delivering radiation therapy to cancer cells, and also activates the immune response against cancer cells.

This treatment has been shown to be a promising therapy for CRPC patients who have failed other treatments.

10. Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia, a new approach to treat cancer, involves the heating of cancerous cells at high temperatures, which facilitates killing of cancer cells.

Hyperthermia in combination with other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy has been shown to be effective in treating CRPC.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer patients who develop resistance to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery have a range of new therapeutic options that are showing promising outcomes.

These new therapies include immunotherapy, gene therapy, targeted therapy, and other complementary therapies. While research into these treatments continues to be ongoing, they provide hope for managing CRPC and improving the quality of life of affected patients.