Blocking stromal signals to make androgen-blocking treatment work better for high-risk prostate cancer
Project 2: Overcoming Microenvironment-Mediated Resistance to AR Pathway Inhibition in High-Risk Prostate Cancer
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · NIH-11173726
Researchers are trying to improve outcomes for people with high-risk localized prostate cancer by blocking signals from nearby stromal cells so androgen-blocking drugs work more fully.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11173726 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers found with single-cell RNA sequencing of human and mouse prostates that a stromal protein called neuregulin 1 (NRG1) helps prostate cells survive when androgen signaling is shut down. Preclinical lab and mouse models show that stromal-derived NRG1 can allow cancer cells to persist after powerful androgen-receptor inhibitors. The project aims to test ways to block this microenvironment signal alongside second-generation AR pathway drugs to increase complete responses in patients with locally advanced, high-grade disease. If successful, the work could lead to clinical approaches added to current neoadjuvant or early systemic therapies to reduce recurrence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men with high-risk, locally advanced, or high-grade localized prostate cancer being considered for intensive neoadjuvant or early systemic androgen-receptor–targeted therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated cancers, low-risk localized prostate cancer, or those with widely metastatic, heavily pretreated disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This approach could raise the rate of complete tumor responses and help more patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer move from disease control toward cure.
How similar studies have performed: Using second-generation androgen-receptor inhibitors earlier has improved outcomes in several trials, but targeting stromal NRG1 as a resistance mechanism is a newer strategy still largely tested in preclinical models.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CARVER, BRETT STEWART — SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- Study coordinator: CARVER, BRETT STEWART
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 below.