Prostate cancer: HCPs discuss emerging therapies, clinical trials, imaging and AI diagnostics on social media

A new study into the online conversations of healthcare professionals discussing prostate cancer has revealed a strong focus on emerging therapies, the latest clinical trials, AI-driven diagnostics and precision medicine. 

Conducted by leading digital insights consultancy Creation Healthcare, the research identified more than 80,000 posts on X (formerly Twitter) referencing prostate cancer, generated by more than 17,000 HCPs between January 2024 and January 2025. 

The analysis of these unprompted HCP conversations reveals unique insights into emerging trends, shifting treatment paradigms, and the nuances of clinical decision-making in the prostate cancer space. The most discussed topics, as revealed below, were evolving therapies in prostate cancer, the future of the disease space, and recent advances in localised prostate cancer treatment. 

The evolution of prostate cancer therapies

New developments in prostate cancer therapies are at the forefront of HCP conversations, according to the research, particularly in the context of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Over the past year, Creation Healthcare identified 16,920 mentions by 2,664 HCPs of prostate cancer therapies, including 2,213 mentions of mHSPC.

One of the most discussed topics in the subtype was the CAPItello-281 phase III trial, involving AstraZeneca’s Truqap (capivasertib). The trial results attracted 71 HCP mentions on X in the period. One of these, by Dr. Toni Choueiri, reached 19,838 accounts and was reposted 18 times by HCPs. In the post, Dr Choueiri shared the results of the trial with peers, noting its progression-free survival benefits alongside its position as the first AKT inhibitor combination in the disease subtype.

Creation Healthcare also found a sense of anticipation among HCPs as to the future of new treatments. In one post, Dr. Ravi Madan said he "look[s] forward” to seeing the full data from the CAPItello-281 trial - in particular its relative toxicity.

Localised prostate cancer treatment was also the focus of HCP conversations online, according to the study. Of particular interest were new approaches, such as neoadjuvant lutetium PSMA and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which were mentioned by 360 HCPs in 1,147 posts.

HCPs laid particular emphasis on the fact that these emerging approaches are demonstrating similar efficacy to conventional methods while offering a more patient-friendly experience. In one post, Dr. Ilyas Shahin shared the findings of a phase III trial that demonstrated SBRT is “noninferior to conventional radiotherapy” for localised prostate cancer, and that it was a “viable, efficient alternative for treatment”.

Elsewhere, several HCPs drew attention to promising new treatment options for the disease. Dr. Yuksel Ürün, for example, drew attention to the CheckMate214 trial, which assessed the impact of nivolumab + ipilimumab in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Ürün noted the “superior overall survival and durable response” of the treatment. In another post, Dr. Emre Yekedüz shared a post highlighting the “improved health-related quality of life” outcomes of the combination. 

AI, imaging and precision medicine

The convergence of AI-driven technologies and personalised medicine, and its potential to reshape the future of prostate cancer management, was the focus of much HCP discussion in the period. It was referenced in the social media conversations of more than 539 HCPs.

These conversations centred on the value of AI-driven tumour assessments in enhancing diagnostic precision and aiding in more effective treatment planning, representing a crucial development in personalised medicine.

Dr. Giovanni Caccimani, a urologist, was particularly active in these conversations, posting 16 times about the importance of AI in prostate cancer care. Other experts, like Dr Stacey Loeb, highlighted the use of artificial intelligence biomarkers to personalise treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. 

Meanwhile, advancements in imaging techniques as a tool to advance diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer continue to draw the attention of online HCPs, according to the research. Several HCPs shared posts referencing the role and impact of imaging-based strategies, particularly PSMA PET, in refining treatment plans for localised and metastatic prostate cancer. 

In one, Dr. Adam Weiner shared the details of a new study comparing tumour detection between PSMA PET and MRI scans - finding that PET detected more small tumours in patients. Dr Weiner’s post was shared by 16 other HCPs. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal and Dr. Ürün also shared posts discussing PET scans, with the former suggesting that the innovation was “set to change the diagnostic paradigm” of cancer treatment, and the latter highlighting the “significant impacts” that the technology offers. Overall, PET scans were mentioned 3,403 times by 725 HCPs through 2024.

Personalised medicine also continues to be a major focus in prostate cancer management, with some mentions of genetic evaluations playing an increasingly relevant role. As one post Dr. Ürün’s post indicated, though, there is still a lack of overall consensus among HCPs about using genetic treatment in a “majority” of cases of high-risk localised prostate cancer. Nonetheless, genetic evaluations drew 492 mentions from 252 HCPs, according to the research.

Commenting on the research, Dr. Bernard Groen, Senior Director of Consulting and Research at Creation Healthcare, said:

“Deep social listening reveals that healthcare professionals are increasingly focused on novel therapies for metastatic prostate cancer, emerging treatments for localised disease, and the integration of AI-driven diagnostics and precision medicine. These discussions highlight the growing focus on precision oncology in prostate cancer care, where efficacy, toxicity, and patient outcomes are central considerations.

“The unprompted conversations healthcare professionals are having in digital spaces offer a unique and critical source of intelligence - one that is often overlooked by traditional research methods. By focusing on their insights, though, we gain a real-time understanding of evolving clinical perspectives - enabling stakeholders to align strategies with the priorities of the healthcare community and ultimately improve outcomes for prostate cancer patients.”