ASH1L’s role in metastatic prostate cancer and its immune environment
Official title: Determine the Role of Histone Methyltransferase ASH1L in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11396556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how the ASH1L gene helps prostate cancer spread and how it shapes the immune environment in bone metastases so future therapies can target this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,590,635 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA278889-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic prostate cancer, particularly those with bone metastases, may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
No direct benefit is guaranteed for current patients; results may lead to future trials or therapies rather than immediate treatment changes.
What this research studies
This project will study how the ASH1L enzyme influences the spread of prostate cancer to bone and how it alters immune interactions in that environment. Researchers will use a new mouse model and single-cell RNA sequencing to map changes in tumor and immune cells. The goal is to identify mechanisms that make metastases grow and evade immunity, with the hope of finding new therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets to treat metastatic prostate cancer and improve outcomes for patients with bone metastases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest epigenetic factors like ASH1L can influence cancer progression and immune interactions, but solid-tumor metastasis specifics are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Di — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Di
Related research
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How gut bacteria may affect prostate cancer therapy and resistance
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This project tests a new blood-based DNA test to spot early resistance to androgen (hormone) therapies in men with advanced prostate cancer.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.