Mechanistic concepts in androgen-dependence of prostate cancer

Androgen blockade is the mainstay of therapy in the clinical management of advanced prostate cancer. Recent progress on two fronts - the development o f newer xenograft and transgenic models and a greater understanding of nucl ear receptor signaling - has provided new insight into mechanisms of androg en-dependence in prostate cancer. This review centers on the concept that p erturbations in androgen receptor signaling are likely to occur early in pr ostate cancer and play a critical role in progression to end stage hormone- refractory disease.