Evasion of targeted cancer therapy through stem-cell-like reprogramming

Abstract

Prostate cancer variants expressing alternative lineage markers appear at relapse from antiandrogen therapy. We show that loss of the retinoblastoma (RB1) and tumor protein 53 (TP53) genes drives expression of stem cell reprogramming factors, lineage plasticity, and antiandrogen resistance. Epigenetic manipulation restores antiandrogen sensitivity—suggesting an approach for treating lethal prostate cancers.