Drugs. 2026 Jul 29. doi: 10.1007/s40265-026-02355-5. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) signaling remains the cornerstone of systemic therapy for advanced prostate cancer (PC). However, a subset of aggressive tumors either arises de novo with neuroendocrine features or emerges under treatment pressure through lineage plasticity and AR independence. These lethal states are encompassed within the spectrum of aggressive-variant prostate cancer (AVPC), an umbrella term that includes both histologically confirmed neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC)-comprising de novo NEPC and treatment-emergent NEPC (t-NEPC)-and clinically or molecularly defined AVPC lacking histologic confirmation but sharing neuroendocrine-like, AR-indifferent, or small-cell features. These phenotypes are characterized by rapid progression, visceral dissemination, low or discordant prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels relative to tumor burden, and poor prognosis. Treatment options for NEPC/AVPC remain limited and largely rely on platinum-based chemotherapy, which usually provides only modest and transient benefit. This unmet need has intensified interest in lineage-associated vulnerabilities. Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), an inhibitory Notch ligand with restricted expression in normal adult tissues, is aberrantly upregulated in several neuroendocrine malignancies and has emerged as a clinically actionable target. In prostate cancer, DLL3 expression is enriched in neuroendocrine tumor cells, being detected in approximately 76.6% of castration-resistant NEPC compared with only 12.5% of castration-resistant adenocarcinoma, supporting its development as both a biomarker and therapeutic vulnerability. Clinical success of DLL3-targeted therapies in small-cell lung cancer further supports evaluation of DLL3-directed strategies in NEPC and related AVPC states. This review summarizes the biological rationale, translational evidence, and emerging clinical data supporting DLL3-targeted therapies in prostate cancer. Investigational platforms include antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific and trispecific T-cell engagers, and DLL3-directed radiopharmaceuticals. Early clinical studies suggest that activity is largely confined to DLL3-expressing neuroendocrine tumors, highlighting the importance of biomarker-guided patient selection. Delta-like ligand 3-directed therapies may reshape the management of DLL3-expressing prostate cancer if ongoing efforts to refine biomarkers improve patient enrichment and optimize trial design are successfully translated into clinical practice.
PMID:42527846 | DOI:10.1007/s40265-026-02355-5
