Prostate Cancer Review: Genetics, Diagnosis, Treatment Options, and Alternative Approaches

Overview

• Prostate cancer significantly impacts male mortality worldwide.
• Patients present with localized or advanced disease.
• The review provides a comprehensive look at diagnosis, genetic mutations, and treatment strategies.

Diagnosis

• Techniques include:
  • Digital rectal examination
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) analysis
  • Prostate biopsies

Genetic Mutations

• Various gene mutations contribute to initiation, progression, and metastasis:
  • Commonly involved genes: MYC, PTEN, NKX3.1, and TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusions.
  • TMPRSS2-ERG fusions activate the ERG oncogenic pathway, crucial in disease development.
• EZH2 mRNA overexpression linked to metastasis, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

Treatment Options

• Localized Prostate Cancer:
  • Active surveillance
  • Ablative radiotherapy
  • Radical prostatectomy
• Metastatic or Relapsed Prostate Cancer:
  • Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
  • Salvage radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy
• Combination therapies are more effective, but prostate cancer remains incurable.

Alternative Treatment Approaches

• Research is ongoing in:
  • Traditional medicine
  • Nanotechnologies
  • Gene therapy
• Aimed at overcoming drug resistance and reducing adverse effects.

Figures

• Figure 1: Schematic of prostate cancer development, highlighting molecular processes and key genes involved.
• Figure 2: AR signaling's role in prostate cancer progression and development.
• Figure 3: Structure of the androgen receptor gene and its influence on transcription activity.

Conflicts of Interest

• Authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Keywords

• Gene therapy, genetics of prostate cancer, prostate cancer diagnosis, PSA, traditional medicine.

Similar Articles

• Provides citations to related research on prostate cancer and associated therapies.

Cited Research

• Includes studies on photodynamic therapy, indocyanine green in surgery, and targeting pathways for therapeutic strategies.

References

• Lists primary research sources and studies related to genetics, curcumin, androgen receptors, etc.

Additional Resources

• Full text sources, medical information, and research materials are available for further reading.