Phase 3 trials are testing several combinations. Mevrometostat, an EZH2 inhibitor, plus enzalutamide is being compared with enzalutamide alone in metastatic castration-sensitive disease. Xaluritamig, a PSMA-directed T-cell engager, plus abiraterone is in Phase 3 for chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation →-naive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan is being studied versus observation in PSMA-positive oligometastatic disease. AAA817, another PSMA radioligand, is being tested in patients who progressed after lutetium-177 PSMA. Adaptive stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with dose escalation is in Phase 3 for high-risk disease. Earlier studies include tulmimetostat with luxdegalutamide for mCRPC, neoadjuvant relugolix and enzalutamide before local therapy, and theranostic pairs targeting the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and somatostatin receptors. Laboratory work aims to drug the intrinsically disordered transactivation domain of the AR, exploit chromosome instability driven by UFL1 loss, and identify novel AR-independent drivers of progression including DNA damage repair alterations and lineage plasticity.
Where the evidence stands
Hormonal therapyTreatments that reduce or block hormones that fuel certain cancers.Click for full explanation → and modern AR pathway inhibitors are firmly established with documented overall survivalThe percentage of patients still alive after a set period — a key clinical trial endpoint.Click for full explanation → gains. PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy with lutetium-177 PSMA-617 is approved and being extended into earlier disease and into patients who have already received it. PARP inhibitorsDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation → for HRR-mutated disease are an established second pillar. The next wave, T-cell engagers, EZH2 inhibitors, and additional radioligands, is in late Phase 3. AR transactivation domain inhibitors and lineage-plasticity targeting therapies remain mostly preclinical or early clinical.
What this means for people affected
Prostate cancer outcomes have improved markedly with second-generation hormonal agents, PARP inhibitorsDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation → for selected subgroups, and PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy. PSMA PET imaging now guides staging and treatment decisions, and germline and tumor genetic testing is increasingly part of standard work-up to identify BRCAGenes whose mutations significantly raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.Click for full explanation → and other DNA repair gene alterations. The field has many active Phase 3 programs, suggesting more options are likely in the next few years. Localized disease has multiple effective alternatives with different side-effect profiles, and trade-offs between treatments such as low-dose-rate brachytherapy and ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy are being directly compared. Active surveillance with serial MRI is now well-supported for low-risk and selected favorable intermediate-risk disease, allowing many men to defer or avoid definitive treatment. For advanced disease, sequencing of available therapies and access to clinical trialsA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → are common discussion points with the care team, particularly when standard options have been exhausted.
Last updated May 1, 2026
Recent research findings
Understanding evidence levels▼
PreclinicalLab or cell studies — no human data yet.
Animal StudyResults in animals only — may not apply to humans.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human safety testing in small groups.
Phase 2 TrialEarly effectiveness testing in a larger group.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial — the strongest trial evidence.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations — not a controlled trial.
ReviewSummary analysis of multiple existing studies.
Meta-AnalysisStatistical pooling of results from multiple studies.
ReviewSummary and analysis of existing published studies.Published: August 14, 2026
Improving Recovery After Prostate Surgery
Researchers reviewed techniques for rebuilding nerves during a type of prostate surgery called robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. They found that some methods may help men recover faster, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. These methods include using nerve grafts or special tissue wraps.
Why it matters: This research could lead to better outcomes for men undergoing this type of surgery.
Efficacy
Earlier return to potency or continence for men with good preoperative function.
Further prospective research is needed to validate these findings.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: August 14, 2026
PSA Density May Not Be Accurate for All Prostate Sizes
Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 patients to see if a specific measure called PSA density can accurately detect prostate cancer. They found that this measure may not work well for men with very large prostates. The best cut-off points for PSA density varied depending on the size of the prostate.
Why it matters: This finding may help doctors develop more accurate tests for prostate cancer, especially for men with larger prostates.
The study's findings are hypothesis-generating and require external validation with PI-RADS integration before potential guideline implementation.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Est. completion: February 28, 2028
Study on Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Penile Rehabilitation After Cancer Surgery
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is investigating the effectiveness of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy in helping men regain erectile function after robot-assisted surgery for genitourinary cancers. The study is currently recruiting participants. The results of this trial are not yet available.
Why it matters: This trial may provide valuable information on a potential treatment option for men experiencing erectile dysfunction after cancer surgery.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: August 13, 2026
Researchers Identify Potential New Treatment for Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Researchers used a computer-based approach to identify a potential new treatment for aggressive prostate cancer. They found that a drug called chlormidazole may be effective against this type of cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this. In lab experiments, chlormidazole showed promise in slowing the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Why it matters: This finding could lead to new treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Efficacy
Chlormidazole also enhanced the antiproliferative activity of docetaxel in both models, achieving comparable efficacy at substantially lower docetaxel concentrations.
The study was conducted in lab experiments and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Phase 2 TrialTests early effectiveness in a larger group after phase 1 safety is established.Est. completion: December 1, 2029
Testing Treatments for Advanced Prostate Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying two treatments for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer: a combination of cabazitaxel and carboplatin, and 177Lu-PSMA-617. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The goal is to compare the effectiveness of these treatments.
Why it matters: This trial aims to help researchers understand which treatment is more effective for people with advanced prostate cancer.
PreclinicalLab or cell studies. No human data yet.Est. completion: February 2, 2027
Testing a New MRI Coil for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Researchers are studying a new type of MRI coil to see if it can help diagnose prostate cancer more accurately. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this study are not yet available.
Why it matters: This trial could lead to a more effective way to diagnose prostate cancer.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human trial. Focuses on safety and dosing in small groups.Est. completion: October 31, 2026
Testing ODM-208 for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the safety and how ODM-208 works in the body for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The trial is currently active but not recruiting participants. The results of this trial are not yet available.
Why it matters: This trial aims to gather information about the potential effectiveness and safety of ODM-208 for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: August 11, 2026
Comparing Prostate Surgery Methods: Open vs. Robot-Assisted
Researchers compared two methods of prostate surgery: open radical prostatectomy and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the Versius system. They found that the robotic method had lower blood loss but longer surgery times. The short-term cancer outcomes were similar in both groups.
Why it matters: This study provides information for doctors and hospitals considering the Versius system for prostate surgery.
Efficacy
RARP was associated with significantly longer operative time (median 360 vs. 255 min; p < 0.001) but lower estimated blood loss (200 vs. 700 mL; p < 0.001).
✦ Significant findingA meaningful signal from later-stage research, or a strong phase 2 result that stands out from routine findings.Meta-AnalysisStatistical pooling of results from multiple studies.Published: August 11, 2026
Comparing Single-Port vs. Multi-Port Robotic Prostate Surgery
Researchers compared two types of robotic-assisted prostate surgery: single-port and multi-port. They found that single-port surgery may lead to shorter hospital stays, smaller incisions, and less postoperative pain. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Why it matters: This study may help doctors and patients understand the benefits and risks of different prostate surgery approaches.
The certainty of evidence remains limited by methodological weaknesses and predominantly retrospective data.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: August 11, 2026
Muscle Loss in Prostate Cancer Patients Linked to Frailty and Comorbidities
Researchers studied 213 men with advanced prostate cancer who received a type of treatment called androgen receptor pathway inhibitors. They found that muscle loss in these patients was associated with shorter survival and faster quality of life decline, but this effect was largely driven by frailty and other health conditions.
Why it matters: This finding highlights the importance of considering patients' overall health and physical condition when treating advanced prostate cancer.
PreclinicalLab or cell studies. No human data yet.Est. completion: July 15, 2027
Using AI to Improve Communication About Prostate Cancer Risks
This trial is studying how using artificial intelligence to provide feedback can help doctors and patients make informed decisions about prostate cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this study are not yet available.
Why it matters: This trial aims to improve the way doctors communicate with patients about prostate cancer risks, which can help patients make informed decisions about their care.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: August 11, 2026
New Peptide Shows Promise Against Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers identified a peptide that targets a protein called Aurora-A, which is involved in prostate cancer. In lab experiments, this peptide slowed the growth of certain prostate cancer cells. However, the effectiveness of this peptide in people with prostate cancer is still unknown.
Why it matters: This finding could lead to new treatments for prostate cancer, but more research is needed to confirm its potential.
Efficacy
Peptide-1 inhibited the proliferation of PC3, DU145, and NCI-H660 cells, with weaker activity in RWPE-1 cells.
This study was conducted in a lab and has not been tested in people.
A Study to Learn About How Safe Darolutamide is and How Well it Works in Combination With Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Docetaxel in Routine Medical Care for Japanese Men With Low Volume Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
An Efficacy and Safety Study of Enzalutamide Plus Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Versus Placebo Plus ADT in Chinese Patients With Metastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC)
A Study of Opevesostat (MK-5684) Versus Alternative Next-generation Hormonal Agent (NHA) in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) Post One NHA (MK-5684-004)
Time-Restricted Eating Versus Nutritional Counseling for the Reduction of Radiation or Chemoradiation Tx Side Effects in Patients With Prostate, Cervical, or Rectal Cancers
An Open-label Study of JSB462 (Luxdegalutamide) in Combination With Abiraterone in Adult Male Patients With Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC)
