A Phase 3 trial is studying capivasertib combined with abiraterone in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, testing whether an AKT pathway inhibitor adds to the established standard. A separate Phase 2 study is directly comparing lutetium-177 PSMA-617 to docetaxel in metastatic CRPC, and a Phase 3 study is evaluating ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), a B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in metastatic prostate cancer.
Platinum-based chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → for patients with DNA damage repair (DDR) gene alterations is the subject of a Phase 3 study. Radionuclide therapies using alternative isotopes, including terbium-161 and actinium-225 targeting PSMA, are in Phase 1 evaluation.
ImmunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → combinations using nivolumab and ipilimumab together with ADT are in Phase 1 and Phase 2, aiming to overcome the typically low immune activity of prostate tumors. Phase 2 studies are examining testosterone-sparing treatment strategies and optimal management of biochemically recurrent disease after radical prostatectomy.
PSMA PET/CT (prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography) imaging is being studied as a tool to improve disease staging and guide treatment decisions, with several imaging trials enrolling.
Where the evidence stands
AR inhibitors and abiraterone in metastatic disease have strong Phase 3 evidence. Lutetium PSMA radioligand therapy has Phase 3 backing in CRPC. 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 supported by Phase 3 data in selected patients. Capivasertib and newer ADCs like I-DXd are at the Phase 2 to Phase 3 boundary. ImmunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → combinations remain largely Phase 1 to Phase 2, reflecting the difficulty of generating immune responses in this cancer type. Alternative radionuclide approaches are novel early-phase investigational directions.
What this means for people affected
Prostate cancer treatment has expanded notably in recent years, particularly for advanced and castration-resistant disease. Molecular and genomic testing for mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → such as BRCA2Genes whose mutations significantly raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.Click for full explanation → now informs treatment decisions, as PARP inhibitorsDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation → may be more effective in this group. Imaging with PSMA PET/CT has improved disease localization and staging. Research is focused on combining existing effective treatments, extending radioligand therapy approaches, and addressing resistance to currently approved agents.
Last updated April 2, 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.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human trial. Focuses on safety and dosing in small groups.Est. completion: April 30, 2029
Testing Pocenbrodib Alone and in Combination for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the effects of Pocenbrodib, both on its own and combined with other treatments, in people with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this trial are not yet known.
Why it matters: This trial aims to gather information on the safety and effectiveness of Pocenbrodib and its combinations in treating metastatic prostate cancer.
Phase 2 TrialTests early effectiveness in a larger group after phase 1 safety is established.Est. completion: July 31, 2026
Testing a New Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying a new treatment called Targeted Alpha Therapy with 225Actinium-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-I&T for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The trial is currently active but not recruiting participants. The goal is to see if this treatment is safe and effective.
Why it matters: This trial may help doctors find a more effective treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer.
ReviewSummary and analysis of existing published studies.Published: April 2, 2026
Advances in Treating Advanced Prostate Cancer
Researchers reviewed recent studies on treating advanced prostate cancer, focusing on intensifying therapy earlier in the disease course and refining the use of radiopharmaceuticals, targeted therapyDrugs that block specific molecules that cancer cells need to grow.Click for full explanation →, and combinations of existing agents. They also looked at new treatments with novel targets for men with treatment-refractory metastatic castration-resistant disease. Ongoing research aims to maximize the benefits of existing therapies while exploring new treatments.
Why it matters: This research may lead to improved treatment options for men with advanced prostate cancer.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Est. completion: December 31, 2033
Testing Less or More Intense Prostate Cancer Treatment Based on Gene Risk Score
This trial is studying how to tailor prostate cancer treatment to individual patients based on their genetic risk score. Patients with high-risk prostate cancer are being treated with either less or more intense treatments. The trial is currently active and not recruiting new participants.
Why it matters: This trial may help doctors choose the most effective treatment for patients with high-risk prostate cancer.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Est. completion: March 31, 2036
Testing Shorter Radiation Therapy for High Risk Prostate Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying whether shorter duration radiation therapy is as effective as the usual treatment for patients with high risk prostate cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this study will help determine the best treatment option for these patients.
Why it matters: This trial could lead to a more convenient treatment option for patients with high risk prostate cancer.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 1, 2026
Prostate Cancer Protein Linked to Treatment Resistance
Researchers studied how prostate cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. They found a protein called TRA2B that helps create a variant of the androgen receptor, which is a protein that fuels cancer growth. This variant, AR-V7, is linked to treatment resistance and disease progression.
Why it matters: Understanding how AR-V7 is created may lead to new treatment opportunities for advanced prostate cancer.
Further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 1, 2026
AI Tool Helps Surgeons Identify Prostate Capsule During Surgery
Researchers developed an artificial intelligence model to help surgeons identify the prostate capsule during a complex surgical procedure called nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. They tested the model using videos of 18 surgeries and found that it was somewhat effective in identifying the prostate capsule. However, the results were not perfect and more testing is needed.
Why it matters: This finding could lead to better surgical outcomes for patients undergoing this procedure.
Efficacy
The median Dice score was 0.621 (interquartile range: 0.399-0.687) and the mean concordance and effectiveness score were 3.6 and 3.1 (out of 5), respectively.
The study had a small sample size of 18 surgeries and more testing is needed to confirm the results.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 1, 2026
Prostate Cancer Study Finds Link Between Gene MutationA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → and Treatment Response
Researchers studied tissue samples from men with advanced prostate cancer to see how a specific gene mutationA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → affects the cancer's response to treatment. They found that men with this mutationA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → had lower levels of a protein called AR-V7 and responded better to certain treatments. This suggests that the mutationA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → may be a useful indicator of which treatments will work best.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors choose the most effective treatments for men with advanced prostate cancer.
ReviewSummary and analysis of existing published studies.Published: April 1, 2026
Japan's Cancer Genomic Medicine for Urological Malignancies
Researchers reviewed the use of cancer genomic medicine in Japan for urological malignancies, focusing on genetic tests and treatment accessibility. This approach involves identifying genetic changes in cancer to choose the best treatment. The study highlights challenges in implementing this approach in clinical practice.
Why it matters: This research helps understand the challenges and opportunities in using cancer genomic medicine for urological malignancies in Japan.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 1, 2026
Optimized Cancer Treatment Margins for Prostate Radiotherapy
Researchers studied how to adjust the margins around the prostate during radiotherapy to ensure accurate targeting. They found that a specific margin size might be sufficient for some patients, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Why it matters: This finding could help improve the accuracy of prostate cancer treatments and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 1, 2026
New Approach to Cancer Diagnosis Uses BiomarkersA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation → and Predictors
Researchers developed a new method for cancer diagnosis that uses biomarkersA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation → and predictors to make decisions about invasive procedures. This approach selectively uses costly biomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation → testing for a targeted subset of individuals. The study focused on prostate cancer diagnosis.
Why it matters: This finding could improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cancer diagnosis.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Est. completion: August 30, 2032
Testing Xaluritamig Plus Abiraterone for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the effectiveness of Xaluritamig combined with Abiraterone in treating men with metastatic prostate cancer that is resistant to hormone therapyTreatments that reduce or block hormones that fuel certain cancers.Click for full explanation → and has not yet been treated with chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation →. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this trial are not yet known.
Why it matters: This trial aims to determine if Xaluritamig plus Abiraterone is a more effective treatment option for men with this type of cancer.
Two Studies for Patients With High Risk Prostate Cancer Testing Less Intense Treatment for Patients With a Low Gene Risk Score and Testing a More Intense Treatment for Patients With a High Gene Risk Score, The PREDICT-RT Trial
Testing the Effectiveness of Two ImmunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → Drugs (Nivolumab and Ipilimumab) With One Anti-cancer Targeted Drug (Cabozantinib) for Rare Genitourinary Tumors
Testing the Safety and Effectiveness of Radiation-based Treatment (Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate) for Metastatic Prostate Cancer That Has Neuroendocrine Cells
Radiation Medication (Radium-223 Dichloride) Versus Radium-223 Dichloride Plus Radiation Enhancing Medication (M3814) Versus Radium-223 Dichloride Plus M3814 Plus Avelumab (a Type of ImmunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation →) for Advanced Prostate Cancer Not Responsive to Hormonal TherapyTreatments that reduce or block hormones that fuel certain cancers.Click for full explanation →
