Work

AR-V7 expression in primary non-metastatic prostate cancer and its role in disease progression following initial therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Year: 2025

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Background: The prognostic role of androgen receptor variant 7 (AR-V7) in non-metastatic prostate cancer remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate its impact on primary treatment outcomes and disease progression. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central for observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing AR-V7-positive and AR-V7-negative patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and biochemical recurrenc (BCR). Secondary outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and the incidence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), were assessed as non-meta-analyzable endpoints. Hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects model. Statistical analyses were conducted in Review Manager software (version). Results: = 0.07). Among the non-meta-analyzable secondary outcomes, individual studies suggested that AR-V7-positive patients had a higher risk of CRPC progression, shorter CSS, and reduced PFS compared to AR-V7-negative patients, but heterogeneity in study design and reporting precluded quantitative synthesis. Conclusion: AR-V7 expression is a negative prognostic marker in non-metastatic prostate cancer, associated with significantly reduced OS and increased CRPC progression. While no significant difference was observed in BCR, the trend suggests potential implications for disease monitoring. Further studies with standardized detection methods are needed to clarify AR-V7's role in risk stratification and treatment decisions.

Source: Prostate International

DOI: 10.1016/j.prnil.2025.12.002

Authors: Marcelo Quintanilha, Hilária Saugo Faria, Henrique Leal de Oliveira, Leo Meira Martins, Ilma Simoni Brum

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Language: English

Topic: Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,800