Prostate cancer (PCa) constitutes an important health challenge worldwide. The nervous system, in a complex and multimodal manner, regulates prostate physiology and PCa development and affects the course of the disease. The phenomena of axonogenesis and neurogenesis, first described in PCa, were a breakthrough discovery that changed our understanding of cancer-nerve crosstalk. Different nerve types within the cancer stroma and tumor surroundings create complex interactions between the cancer microenvironment elements based on neurotransmission, affecting the hallmarks of cancer. The most common form of PCa and nerve interaction is the perineural invasion (PNI), which recently has been suggested as a driver of metastases. Additionally, many preclinical discoveries depict the molecular mechanisms of altered nerve activity, showing the pivotal role of sympathetic and parasympathetic signaling systems in localized and advanced PCa, axon-guidance molecules and neurotrophin. The neuroendocrine switch in advanced PCa is one of reasons of lethal, castration-resistant phase of the disease. Knowledge about the infiltration status of the periprostatic nerves present in radiological imaging is important for urologists in planning the treatment. Although some studies suggest that PNI and nerve density may be prognostic factors in PCa, it is necessary to evaluate these indicators better and apply them to practice. The neural-based therapeutic application in PCa is limited currently. Some studies showed that β blockers reduce PCa-specific mortality and neuroendocrine differentiation potential. This review provides a comprehensive, up-to date synthesis of PCa neurobiology, uniquely integrating both preclinial and clinical perspectives.

Cancer-related anemia (CRA) is a common and debilitating condition among oncology patients, driven by tumor burden, treatment toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic inflammation. This review aims to synthesize evidence on the global and geographical prevalence and incidence patterns of CRA. A systematic search of PubMed and Embase identified English-language studies on CRA published was performed between 2000 and November 30, 2024. Observational studies and clinical trials reporting CRA prevalence and/or incidence were included. Extracted data covered country, study design, patient demographics, cancer type, anemia classification, and CRA incidence/prevalence rates. The data were then charted by geographical locations. A total of 42 studies, encompassing 65,179 cancer patients across 5 continents and 40 countries, were included. CRA prevalence ranged from 12.8% to 100%, with the highest rates reported in lung (84.2%), pediatric cancers (80.9%), gynecological (62.99%), and gastrointestinal (57.4%) cancers. The composite prevalence of anemia across multiple cancer types and solid tumors was 64.99% and 25.68%, respectively. However, cancer-type-specific analyses often reported higher prevalence rates than composite outcomes, with variations largely influenced by geographical location. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were consistently associated with increased incidence, with post-treatment anemia prevalence reaching 100% in some cohorts. Regional disparities were noted, particularly in Africa, South America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. CRA is a globally prevalent condition, with rates influenced by cancer type, geographic region, and the initiation of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Future research should prioritize standardized reporting and address regional data gaps.