Factors influencing survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer therapy

Introduction The number of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is expected to increase due to the long life expectancy of those with advanced disease who are also more commonly diagnosed today because of stage migration. Several compounds are available for treating these patients. Areas covered We reviewed currently available treatments for mCRPC, their mechanism of action and resistance, and we explored possible predictors of treatment success useful to predict survival in mCRPC patients. Expert opinion A combination of molecular, clinical, pathological, and imaging features is necessary to correctly estimate patients' risk of death. The combination of these biomarkers may allow clinicians to tailor treatments based on cancer history and patients' features. The search of predictive biomarkers remains an unmet medical need for most patients with mCRPC.