Clinical implications of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer

• Published in: Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 6 - 14
• Main Authors: Nelson, E C, Cambio, A J, Yang, J C, Ok, J-H, Lara, Jr, P N, Evans, C P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.03.2007
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma - etiology; Adenocarcinoma - therapy; Androgens; Animals; Care and treatment; Cell Differentiation; Cellular signal transduction; Deprivation; Differentiation; Health aspects; Hormone therapy; Humans; Male; Models, Biological; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - therapy; Neurosecretory Systems - cytology; Neurosecretory Systems - physiology; Prostate cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms - etiology; Prostatic Neoplasms - therapy; Signal transduction; Signaling; United States
• ISSN: 1365-7852; 1476-5608
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500922

The cellular signaling pathways of the prostate play a central role in the induction, maintenance, and progression of prostate cancer (CaP). Neuroendocrine (NE) cells demonstrate attributes that suggest they are an integral part of these signaling cascades. We summarize what is known regarding NE cells in CaP focusing on NE cellular transdifferentiation. This significant event in CaP progression appears to be accelerated by androgen deprivation (AD) treatment. We examine biochemical pathways that may impact NE differentiation in a chronological manner focusing on AD therapy (ADT) as a central event in inducing androgen-independent CaP. Our analysis is limited to the common adenocarcinoma pattern of CaP and excludes small-cell and carcinoid prostatic variants. In conclusion, we speculate on the future of treatment and research in this area.