Prostate cancer update: advanced disease.

The presentations for the "Advanced Disease" section of the 13th International Prostate Cancer Update provided an overview of current and future directions in the management of men with recurrent prostate cancer after local therapy and those with metastatic disease. Definitions of biochemical failure after local therapy were reviewed. Treatment strategies that were discussed included salvage radiation, early/intermittent hormonal therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, the use of bisphosphonates, and gene therapy. Several possible molecular targets for prostate cancer treatment need further validation before testing in clinical trials, and examples of these were presented. Each presentation focused on the need to accrue men to clinical trials to enable progress at a faster pace.