Extracellular matrix in prostate cancer anti-androgen resistance

Extracellular matrix (ECM) within the tumour microenvironment (TME) of prostate cancer has been extensively reported to be associated with the development of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) resistance in prostate cancer. Recent-year investigations have illustrated that the deposition of ECM proteins contribute to this resistance by regulating cell behaviours of cancer cells directly or indirectly through modulating immune cells within the TME, thereby protecting cancer cells from the tumour-suppressing effects of ADT. Here we review these findings, offering new perspectives on prostate cancer research and highlighting the potential of ECM proteins as novel clinical targets for predicting and treating ADT-resistance.