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Androgen-Independent Pathways

Meaning

These are cellular signaling cascades within tissues, notably in prostate cells, that facilitate cell proliferation and survival without the direct activation of the classical androgen receptor by testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. The presence of these alternative mechanisms explains why certain androgen-sensitive conditions, such as prostate cancer, can progress even after systemic androgen deprivation therapy. Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies that target non-hormonal drivers of cellular growth.