Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, 2025, Vol.13, No.1, 21-31 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/cge 26 5.3 The development prospects of epigenetic targeted therapy The reversible characteristics of epigenetic regulation provide a breakthrough for innovative therapies. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (such as decitabine) restore the function of tumor suppressor genes by reversing abnormal methylation (Dobosy et al., 2006). Histone deacetylase inhibitors can not only regulate gene expression but also enhance radiosensitivity. Although the related therapies are still in the exploration stage, their application prospects are broad. By reshaping the epigenetic state, both tumor progression can be inhibited and treatment resistance can be reversed. With the in-depth research on the mechanism, this type of therapy is expected to become an important part of individualized treatment and provide new options for patients in the advanced stage (Dobosy et al., 2006; Sugiura et al., 2020). 6 Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Escape Mechanism 6.1 Functional effects of cytokines and extracellular stroma The tumor microenvironment (TME) of prostate cancer is a dynamic system composed of multiple types of cells and structural substances, among which extracellular interstitium (ECM) and cytokines hold a core position. These components directly affect the tumor development and metastasis process. ECM is mainly composed of substances such as collagen and hyaluronic acid. It not only forms a physical support structure, but also the mechanical pressure it generates can change the characteristics of cancer cells, induce hypoxia and enhance the invasion ability (Neophytou et al., 2021). The key signaling molecules in the TME, such as IFN-γ, TGF-β and IL-6, can not only regulate immune activities, but also form an inhibitory microenvironment to promote tumor expansion (Palicelli et al., 2021). These molecules significantly enhance the survival and metastasis efficiency of cancer cells through synergistic effects with ECM and other components (Dai et al., 2024). During the process of cancer metastasis, the interaction between prostate cells and ECM is of particular significance. Bone metastasis, as a common diffusion route, ECM and related signal molecules have constructed a microenvironment suitable for tumor colonization here. When abnormal signaling pathways related to bone development in the normal prostate (such as cytokine mediated pathways) occur, it can trigger abnormal proliferation and angiogenesis, ultimately leading to the failure of castration therapy (Corn, 2012). The research on these molecular interactions provides a theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting ECM and cytokines (Neophytou et al., 2021). 6.2 Expression characteristics of immune regulatory factors Immune regulatory factors such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 constitute the core regulatory network of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The abnormally high expression of these molecules in prostate cancer can inhibit T cell activity and facilitate tumor immune escape (Toor et al., 2020). Its expression intensity is dynamically regulated by the microenvironment, especially hypoxia stress and cytokine gradient changes. This special environment not only reduces the efficacy of cytotoxic T cells, but also activates the expansion of immunosuppressive cells (Palicelli et al., 2021). The dysfunction of regulatory factors seriously impdamages the anti-tumor immune response and becomes an important direction for optimizing immunotherapy (Wei et al., 2021). Current immunotherapy research focuses on blocking key regulatory pathways. Immune checkpoint inhibitors show application prospects in the treatment of various malignant tumors, including prostate cancer, by relieving the inhibition of T cell function (Wei et al., 2021). However, the compensatory regulatory mechanism caused by gene mutations and epigenetic remodeling has become the main constraint factor limiting therapeutic effect (Toor et al., 2020). Systematic analysis of these dynamic regulatory networks is the core breakthrough for improving the effect of immunotherapy for prostate cancer. 6.3 Immune escape mechanism and therapeutic prospects Prostate cancer builds an immune barrier by highly expressing inhibitory molecules such as B7x and B7-H3, and the overexpression of these molecules is closely related to adverse clinical outcomes (Barach et al., 2011).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==