2025/10/01 by Bo Shao, Yu Zeng · 1 citation
Medicine · #Cancer Cells and Metastasis #Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response #Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
paper · doi:10.1080/07853890.2025.2548975
openalex publication_date 2025/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
AIMS: Prostate cancer (PC) is a common male malignancy. Although androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is standard for advanced PC, many patients develop castration-resistant PC (CRPC), and some progress to neuroendocrine PC (NEPC). This study aims to clarify mechanisms of this transition, especially the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and explore therapeutic targets. METHODS: A literature review was conducted on genetic alterations, signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment, and CSC biology related to CRPC and NEPC progression. FINDINGS: Evidence shows that lineage plasticity, alternative signaling activation, and CSC expansion drive CRPC and NEPC development. CSCs promote heterogeneity, resistance, and metastasis, while current treatments remain largely ineffective for NEPC. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding mechanisms of PC progression is crucial for new interventions. Targeting CSC-related pathways may help prevent resistance and improve outcomes in advanced prostate cancer.