How HSP60 makes prostate cancer more aggressive and treatment‑resistant
Hsp60 Regulation of Prostate Cancer Progression
Researchers are testing whether blocking a mitochondrial protein called HSP60 can slow or kill aggressive and castration‑resistant prostate cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160668 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This team studies a mitochondrial protein, HSP60, that is higher in aggressive prostate tumors and in cancers that no longer respond to hormone therapy. They use genetically engineered mouse prostate tumors and human tumor data and tissue samples to see what happens when HSP60 is removed or blocked. The researchers silence or overexpress HSP60 in cells and mice and are testing a newly identified compound (DCEM1) that disrupts HSP60 function to trigger tumor cell death. Their work combines lab experiments, animal models, and analysis of patient tumor databases to link HSP60 levels with worse disease and to test ways to reduce tumor burden.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with aggressive prostate cancer—especially those with castration‑resistant disease or high Gleason scores—would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People with low‑risk or early‑stage prostate cancer, or patients with cancers that are not prostate cancer, are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that make aggressive or castration‑resistant prostate cancer more likely to shrink or respond to therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting mitochondrial proteostasis and heat shock proteins is an emerging approach with encouraging preclinical evidence, but it has limited clinical proof to date.
Where this research is happening
Buffalo, United States
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp — Buffalo, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chandra, Dhyan — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: Chandra, Dhyan
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.