Finding better ways to personalize treatment for high-risk prostate cancer
Official title: Biomarker Approaches to Individualizing Systemic Therapy for High Risk Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10868607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help men with high-risk prostate cancer by finding special markers in their tumors that can guide doctors in choosing the best treatment for each person, so some can get stronger therapies like chemotherapy while others can skip extra side effects from long hormone treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $625,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA240582-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer who are considering treatment options involving radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low-risk prostate cancer or those who have already received definitive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment for high-risk prostate cancer by developing and validating biomarkers that can help tailor therapy to individual patients. By analyzing tumor samples from patients, the study aims to identify which patients would benefit from more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy, while also recognizing those who could avoid unnecessary side effects from prolonged hormone therapy. The approach involves using advanced genetic testing techniques to provide more precise treatment options based on the unique characteristics of each patient's cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment plans for patients with high-risk prostate cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers to guide treatment decisions in other cancers, suggesting potential success for this approach in prostate cancer as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feng, Felix Yi-Chung — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Feng, Felix Yi-Chung
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Overcoming Resistance to AR-Targeted Therapy in High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Researchers are studying why some high-risk prostate cancers stop responding to AR pathway inhibitors and trying new strategies to improve outcomes for men with aggressive, localized disease.
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Tumor environment players in advanced prostate cancer spread
Researchers are studying how the tissue around prostate tumors helps cancer spread, in men with high-risk disease.
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Integrated genomic and AI pathology biomarkers to guide high-risk prostate cancer treatment
A prostate cancer research project tests how genomic and AI-based pathology tools can help tailor who should receive added ARSI therapy with standard radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
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Mitochondrial changes in high-risk prostate cancer
This project looks at changes in mitochondrial DNA and cell energy systems in men, especially African American men, with high‑risk prostate cancer to find markers that predict who will develop aggressive disease.
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Understanding mitochondrial changes in high-risk prostate cancer
This study is looking at how changes in mitochondrial DNA might affect prostate cancer in African American men, who are more likely to face serious cases, with the hope of finding ways to predict and improve treatment for those at risk.
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How high-risk prostate tumors and nearby cells kick off cancer spread
This project looks at how high-risk prostate tumors and the immune and support cells around them start to spread by using advanced scans and detailed analysis of removed prostate tissue.
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.