A new way to target prostate cancer that has stopped responding to treatment

A novel AR degrader in castrate-resistant prostate cancer

NIH-funded research Wayne State University · NIH-11109522

This research explores a new type of medicine to help men with prostate cancer that has become resistant to standard hormone therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWayne State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Detroit, United States)
Project IDNIH-11109522 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Prostate cancer often becomes resistant to initial hormone treatments, a stage called castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In CRPC, the cancer cells often find ways to keep growing, even without much testosterone, often by changing the androgen receptor (AR) protein. This project aims to create a new kind of drug that works by completely removing these problematic AR proteins from cancer cells. These new drugs, called AUTOTACs, are designed to specifically target and break down the AR protein, even the altered versions that resist current medicines. The goal is to offer a new treatment option for patients whose prostate cancer no longer responds to existing therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for men with prostate cancer, particularly those whose disease has progressed to a castrate-resistant stage.

Not a fit: Patients whose prostate cancer is still responding well to existing hormone therapies may not directly benefit from this specific new treatment approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new approach could provide a much-needed treatment option for men with advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to current hormone therapies.

How similar studies have performed: This project introduces a novel therapeutic platform called AUTOTACs, which represents a new strategy for degrading target proteins, building upon existing knowledge of AR inhibition.

Where this research is happening

Detroit, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.