Are androgen receptor variants a substitute for the full-length receptor?

Androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs) are expressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and are constitutively active. AR-Vs are induced by several mechanisms, including androgen deprivation therapy, and could represent a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer—especially in CRPC. This Review discusses the role of AR-Vs in prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance.