Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and often grows slowly, allowing time for early intervention.
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Overview
Prostate cancer begins in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men worldwide and tends to grow slowly, though some forms can be aggressive and life-threatening if left untreated.
Most cases are diagnosed through screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal exam. Risk factors include age (especially over 50), family history, ethnicity (more common in Black men), and certain inherited genetic mutations.
Many prostate cancers can be effectively treated or managed for years with surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or a combination of approaches. Immunology has added an exciting new dimension to the field, leading to innovative treatments that engage the immune system to fight the disease.
Key Points
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and often grows slowly, allowing time for early intervention.
- Immunotherapy has shown promise, especially in advanced or metastatic prostate cancer where other treatments stop working.
- New approaches, including cancer vaccines and cell-based therapies, are being developed to activate the immune system and extend survival.
Key Statistics (U.S.)
Key Statistics
Global incidence: Around 1.4 million new cases and 375,000 deaths in 2022.
U.S. incidence (2025 estimate): About 313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths.
Risk: About 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Immunology and Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer was among the first cancers to be treated with an FDA-approved therapeutic cancer vaccine, highlighting its early role in immunology-driven cancer treatment.
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) was the first cancer treatment vaccine approved by the FDA. It uses a patient’s own immune cells, collected and modified in a lab to better recognize prostate cancer antigens, then reinfused to trigger an immune response. Provenge is used for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
While checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized treatment for some cancers, they’ve had more limited impact in prostate cancer so far. That’s because prostate tumors often have fewer immune cells present, making them harder for the immune system to recognize and target. However, researchers are actively investigating how to make immunotherapies work more effectively for prostate cancer.
What’s next for prostate cancer?
The future of prostate cancer treatment lies in personalization and precision, and immunology will play an increasingly important role. Scientists are working to:
- Enhance visibility of prostate tumors to the immune system.
- Refine and expand use of cancer vaccines, including new mRNA-based platforms.
- Develop targeted immunotherapies like CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies for prostate-specific antigens.
- Identify biomarkers to determine which patients are most likely to respond to immunotherapy.
These efforts will help bring the power of immune-based treatments to more patients—particularly those with advanced or treatment-resistant disease.
Sources
- Prostate Cancer Statistics, World Cancer Research Fund.
- Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer, American Cancer Society.
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