Prostate cancer (PC) is a common malignancy type among men. It is the second most common diagnosed male cancer worldwide, making up about 14.2%, with nearly 1.47 million new cases reported.
There are many prostate cancer treatment options, but not all of them deliver preferred results. The usual methods, like surgery, chemotherapy, or external beam radiation, are mostly aggressive and negatively impact the patient’s quality of life. So, it is important to learn about the latest treatment options. This allows achieving the best outcomes in every stage of the disease.
Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
New prostate cancer treatment options are designed to minimize side effects and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. It is employed with high accuracy, relying on detailed imaging, molecular diagnostics, and personalized treatment planning.
Dendritic Cell Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Dendritic cell vaccination is an advanced option of immunotherapy for prostate cancer treatment. It is based on a special type of antigen-presenting cell called dendritic cells, which can modulate the immune response towards tumor tissue.
With the help of dendritic cell therapy, prostate cancer patients can achieve a long-lasting immunity, which will be based on their body's own defence mechanisms.
Radioligand Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Lutetium treatment for prostate cancer is used in cases with castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Lutetium-177 is a radioactive isotope that can deliver radiation directly into the prostate. This helps destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Actinium treatment for prostate cancer is performed with an advanced alpha particle. It uses the radioactive isotope Actinium-225. This isotope is inducing a double-strand DNA break. This makes it effective in patients with highly treatment-resistant tumors.
Interventional Radiology (IR) in Prostate Cancer
Interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive, image-guided treatments that target cancerous tissue while preserving healthy structures. Here are some of the options:
- TACE for prostate cancer – delivers chemotherapy through the artery that supplies the tumor. Then the embolization is performed, which traps the drug in the tumor and causes ischemia.
- Electrochemotherapy (ECT) – electrical pulses increase cell membrane permeability. This helps chemotherapy enter cells more effectively.
- Cryoablation – using cryoprobes, it freezes cancer cells, leading to apoptosis.
- Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) – electrical pulses are used to create permanent pores in cancer cell membranes. This leads to cell death.
