A new era in prostate cancer therapy: new targets and novel therapeutics

The results of two phase III trials demonstrating a significant prolongation of survival with docetaxel-based chemotherapy has fueled interest in expanding therapeutic development in prostate cancer. This coupled with improved understanding of the mechanisms responsible for prostate cancer development and progression has lead to discovery of several biologic targets that can be exploited using novel therapeutics in what has been referred to as the era of “targeted therapy.” Several of these therapies have shown promise either as single agents or in combination with proven chemotherapeutic agents. This review focuses upon some of the more promising targeted therapies under investigation for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer and highlights some of challenges faced in therapeutic development.