How aggressive prostate cancer spreads
Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer Metastasis
['FUNDING_R01'] · CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11179174
This project tests new drugs that block a protein called ONECUT2 to try to slow or stop aggressive prostate cancers that no longer respond to hormone therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11179174 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying why some prostate cancers change identity and become resistant to hormone treatments, focusing on a protein called ONECUT2 that drives this change. They use human tumor samples and circulating tumor cells, genomic and bioinformatics analyses, lab-grown 3D models, and mouse models to track chromosome and nuclear changes tied to aggressive behavior. The team has developed small-molecule ONECUT2 inhibitors and tests their effects on tumor growth and spread in preclinical models. The goal is to find drug targets and biomarkers to better treat or detect prostate cancers that stop responding to standard therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer that has become resistant to androgen receptor–targeting therapies, especially tumors showing AR-V7 or neuroendocrine features.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer or cancers driven by unrelated mechanisms may not receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to drugs or tests that prevent metastasis and overcome treatment resistance in advanced prostate cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work, including xenograft and mouse models, has shown ONECUT2 inhibitors can slow tumor growth and metastasis, but testing in people has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FREEMAN, MICHAEL R. — CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: FREEMAN, MICHAEL R.
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.