Small molecule-induced degradation of the full length and V7 truncated variant forms of human androgen receptor.

The androgen receptor (AR) is a hormone-activated transcription factor that regulates the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa) and represents one of the most well-established drug targets. Currently clinically approved small molecule inhibitors of AR, such as enzalutamide, are built upon a common chemical scaffold that interacts with the AR by the same mechanism of action. These inhibitors eventually fail due to the emergence of drug-resistance in the form of AR mutations and expression of truncated AR splice variants (e.g. AR-V7) that are constitutively active, signalling the progression of the castration-resistant state of the disease. The urgent need therefore continues for novel classes of AR inhibitors that can overcome drug resistance, especially since AR signalling remains important even in late-stage advanced PCa.