Radium-223 for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: results and remaining open issues after the ALSYMPCA trial

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and a leading cause of cancer death among men in developed countries (1). In recent years, several new targeted therapeutic agents become standard treatment options in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) including androgen receptor targeting agents (abiraterone, enzalutamide) or taxane based chemotherapeutic agents (docetaxel, carbazitaxel) after showing prolongation of overall survival (OS) in corresponding phase III clinical studies compared with standard of care (2).