Figure 1

Androgen deprivation therapy initiates alterations in gene-expression profiles in prostate cancer cells. AR induces the expression of PSA, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and multiple genes related to cellular metabolism. AR signaling also inhibits the activation of alternative survival pathways, that is, PI3K/Akt. ADT results in de-repression of alternative survival pathways inducing the expression of genes related to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation and in recalibration of prostate cancer tissue androgen levels leading to partial restoration of AR transcriptional activity. ADT may also lead to expansion of prostate cancer cells expressing AR variants (ARVs), which may contribute to altered gene expression.