Glutaminase enzyme types as personalized markers for prostate cancer

Glutaminase I isoforms as personalized biomarkers of prostate cancer

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11259539

This project looks at two forms of a cancer enzyme called glutaminase to help predict how prostate cancer will respond to hormone treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11259539 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you have prostate cancer, researchers will compare two forms of the glutaminase enzyme (KGA and GAC) in tumor tissue to see which form links with response to hormone therapy. They will study biopsy and archived tumor samples and run lab tests to measure which isoform a tumor makes and whether that matches past treatment outcomes. The team will look at early, hormone-sensitive cancers versus late, therapy-resistant cancers to map patterns and differences between patients. The goal is to turn those findings into a test that helps doctors choose the best hormonal treatment for each patient.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Men with prostate cancer who have available tumor biopsies or archived tumor tissue and who are considering or undergoing hormonal therapy are the most relevant candidates.

Not a fit: Patients without prostate cancer, or those whose tumors do not express these glutaminase forms or whose treatment decisions are not influenced by biomarker information, may not benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors predict which patients will respond to hormonal therapy and tailor treatments to each tumor's enzyme pattern.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior work targeting glutaminase in cancer models has shown promise, but using GLS1 isoform patterns as a clinical marker for prostate cancer is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.
Conditions Cancer Patient
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.