Prostate Cancer: Genes, Environment, Immunity and the use of Immunotherapy

Prostate cancer remains the most prevalent noncutaneous cancer, leading to almost 30 000 deaths every year in men in the United States. A large body of knowledge emphasizes a strong influence of epidemiological factors such as lifestyle, environment and diet, on the development of prostate cancer. Although risk reduction of prostate cancer has been somewhat successful, effective prevention is still lacking. Immunotherapeutic approaches, although moderately complicated, remain promising in an effort to control the progression and development of the disease. Taken together, the parameters of epidemiological studies and immunotherapeutic regimens might eventually be the most effective and preventive approach for prostate cancer. This review highlights some of the events associated with the development and prevention of prostate cancer. D Karan; J B Thrasher; D Lubaroff Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2008;11(3):230-236. ©2008 Nature Publishing Group