Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and a leading cause of cancer-related death in its metastatic form. While early-stage prostate cancer is often indolent and manageable, advanced and metastatic disease presents major therapeutic challenges. Treatment options range from active surveillance and local interventions (surgery, radiotherapy) to systemic therapies. As PCa is largely driven by androgen receptor (AR) signaling, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the backbone of treatment in advanced stages. In both metastatic hormone-sensitive (mHSPC) and castration-resistant (mCRPC) settings, ADT is often combined with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs), taxanes, or their combinations. Recent therapeutic advances in mCRPC include radioligand therapies, bone-targeting agents (e.g., radium-223), and PARP inhibitors, which have improved survival and quality of life. Despite these advances, resistance inevitably emerges, underscoring the need for continued research into the molecular mechanisms of disease progression, tumor microenvironment interactions, and novel therapeutic strategies.
Prostate cancer represents a highly heterogeneous disease, encompassing a broad spectrum of histological and molecular subtypes that differ in prognosis, biology, and therapeutic responsiveness. While many cases follow an indolent course, a significant subset progresses rapidly and develops resistance to standard therapies. This diversity is underpinned by a wide spectrum of histological and molecular subtypes, each with distinct pathological features, genomic alterations, and therapeutic responses.
This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that delve into the distinct pathological features and genetic landscapes of prostate cancer subtypes, including but not limited to acinar adenocarcinoma, ductal carcinoma, neuroendocrine variants, and emerging rare entities. We welcome contributions that explore the underlying molecular drivers, lineage plasticity, tumor microenvironment interactions, and mechanisms of resistance across these subtypes. Studies identifying novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, liquid biopsy approaches, and subtype-specific therapeutic targets are particularly encouraged. Moreover, translational and clinical research addressing the implications of molecular subtyping for precision oncology and treatment stratification will be of key interest.
By integrating insights from histopathology and therapeutic innovation, this Research Topic seeks to advance our understanding of prostate cancer heterogeneity and foster the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Original research articles, reviews, and short communications are welcome.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and a leading cause of cancer-related death in its metastatic form. While early-stage prostate cancer is often indolent and manageable, advanced and metastatic disease presents major therapeutic challenges. Treatment options range from active surveillance and local interventions (surgery, radiotherapy) to systemic therapies. As PCa is largely driven by androgen receptor (AR) signaling, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the backbone of treatment in advanced stages. In both metastatic hormone-sensitive (mHSPC) and castration-resistant (mCRPC) settings, ADT is often combined with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs), taxanes, or their combinations. Recent therapeutic advances in mCRPC include radioligand therapies, bone-targeting agents (e.g., radium-223), and PARP inhibitors, which have improved survival and quality of life. Despite these advances, resistance inevitably emerges, underscoring the need for continued research into the molecular mechanisms of disease progression, tumor microenvironment interactions, and novel therapeutic strategies.
Prostate cancer represents a highly heterogeneous disease, encompassing a broad spectrum of histological and molecular subtypes that differ in prognosis, biology, and therapeutic responsiveness. While many cases follow an indolent course, a significant subset progresses rapidly and develops resistance to standard therapies. This diversity is underpinned by a wide spectrum of histological and molecular subtypes, each with distinct pathological features, genomic alterations, and therapeutic responses.
This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that delve into the distinct pathological features and genetic landscapes of prostate cancer subtypes, including but not limited to acinar adenocarcinoma, ductal carcinoma, neuroendocrine variants, and emerging rare entities. We welcome contributions that explore the underlying molecular drivers, lineage plasticity, tumor microenvironment interactions, and mechanisms of resistance across these subtypes. Studies identifying novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, liquid biopsy approaches, and subtype-specific therapeutic targets are particularly encouraged. Moreover, translational and clinical research addressing the implications of molecular subtyping for precision oncology and treatment stratification will be of key interest.
By integrating insights from histopathology and therapeutic innovation, this Research Topic seeks to advance our understanding of prostate cancer heterogeneity and foster the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Original research articles, reviews, and short communications are welcome.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.