Efficacy of abiraterone combined with prednisone in castration-resistant prostate cancer and its impact on miR-221/222 expression.

Objective: To assess the therapeutic efficacy of abiraterone combined with prednisone in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and investigate its effects on miR-221/222 expression.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 43 CRPC patients from Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University was divided into two groups: the treated group (n=22, treated with abiraterone and prednisone) and the control group (n=21, treated with prednisone acetate alone). Expression of miR-221/222 was quantified in CRPC cell lines using quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The treated group demonstrated significantly higher rates of bone pain relief and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response compared to the control group (P=0.032, P=0.022, respectively). Post-treatment, the treated group also showed increased Karnofsky Performance Status scores and reduced plasma testosterone levels relative to controls (P=0.021, P=0.016). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the treated group (31.82%) and the control group (28.57%) (P=0.125).

Conclusions: Abiraterone combined with prednisone effectively relieves bone pain and improves PSA response rates in CRPC patients, suggesting benefits in enhancing quality of life and reducing testosterone levels without increasing adverse reactions. This therapy appears to have a safety profile comparable to that of conventional treatments.