Finding new treatments for prostate cancer that doesn't respond to immunotherapy
Targeting a Novel Signaling Nexus pACK/pCSK/pLCK in Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB)-Resistant Prostate Cancer
This project looks for new ways to make immunotherapy work better for men with prostate cancer that has become resistant to standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127620 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many men with prostate cancer find that their disease eventually stops responding to initial hormone treatments and also doesn't respond well to immune therapies. This happens because prostate tumors often lack immune cells, making them an 'immune desert' that can hide from the body's defenses. Our team has discovered a key protein called ACK1 that helps prostate cancer evade the immune system. We've developed a new medication that blocks ACK1, and early results in lab models show it can increase immune activity and reduce tumor growth. This project seeks to understand exactly how ACK1 works and how targeting it can help make immune checkpoint blockade treatments more successful for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding prostate cancer that has become resistant to standard treatments, particularly immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those who are responding well to current treatments may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for men with advanced prostate cancer that has become resistant to current immunotherapies.
How similar studies have performed: The research team has already seen promising results in lab models with a similar approach, developing a drug that suppressed tumor growth.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mahajan, Nupam P — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Mahajan, Nupam P
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.