Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in prostate cancer

Abstract

Aim: This comprehensive review aims to explore the potential applications of Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Additionally, the study investigates the role of GRPR in prognostic assessment for individuals afflicted with prostate cancer.Methods: The review encompasses a thorough examination of existing literature and research studies related to the upregulation of GRPR in various tumor types, with a specific focus on prostate. The review also evaluates the utility of GRPR as a molecular target in prostate cancer research, comparing its significance to the well-established Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The integration of radionuclide-targeted therapy with GRPR antagonists is explored as an innovative therapeutic approach for individuals with prostate cancer.Results: Research findings suggest that GRPR serves as a promising molecular target for visualizing low-grade prostate cancer. Furthermore, it is demonstrated to complement the detection of lesions that may be negative for PSMA. The integration of radionuclide-targeted therapy with GRPR antagonists presents a novel therapeutic paradigm, offering potential benefits for individuals undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.Conclusions: In conclusion, this review highlights the emerging role of GRPR in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the integration of radionuclide-targeted therapy with GRPR antagonists introduces an innovative therapeutic approach that holds promise for improving outcomes in individuals dealing with prostate cancer. The potential prognostic value of GRPR in assessing the disease’s progression adds another dimension to its clinical significance in the realm of urology.

Keywords:

• PET
• Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor(GRPR)
• prostate cancer
• radiomics
• radionuclide-targeted therapy
• diagnosis

Authors contributions

YC and XG designed and supervised the review. HZ searched the literature and wrote the manuscript. LQ, XG, and YC reviewed the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article, given that no new data were created or analysed in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Hunan Province of China (2021SK2014), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82272907, 81974397) and the clinical research foundation of the National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases (XIANGYA) (2022LNJJ13).