Androgen receptor-related micro RNAs in prostate cancer and their role in antiandrogen drug resistance

J Cell Physiol. 2020 Apr;235(4):3222-3234. doi: 10.1002/jcp.29275. Epub 2019 Oct 10.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers and the fifth most common reason for cancer deaths in the males. Surgical castration combined with androgen deprivation therapy, antiandrogens, and androgen synthesis inhibitors is the current therapeutic modalities for PCa. These strategies inhibit androgen synthesis or reduce its binding to the androgen receptor (AR) but the development of resistance to these therapies and transient responsiveness are challenging issues in the treatment of this cancer. Deregulation of ARs has a vital role in the initiation and progression of PCa. Also, recent findings imply that micro RNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the evolution of PCa and mediate drug resistance in different cancers. Hence, discovering and targeting miRNAs might represent a novel therapeutic approach. This review paid particular attention to the AR pathway and existing information on the possible roles of miRNAs associated with AR pathway and drug resistance to two second-generation antiandrogens, that is, enzalutamide and abiraterone.

Keywords: abiraterone; androgen receptor; drug resistance; enzalutamide; micro RNA; prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Androstenes / therapeutic use
  • Benzamides
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Nitriles
  • Phenylthiohydantoin / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylthiohydantoin / therapeutic use
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / pathology
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Androstenes
  • Benzamides
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nitriles
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Phenylthiohydantoin
  • enzalutamide
  • abiraterone