How IL‑1β from AR‑negative prostate cancer cells helps tumors grow in bone
Interleukin-1beta and AR-negative tumor cells in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
Researchers are looking at whether IL‑1β produced by AR‑negative prostate cancer cells helps tumors survive and spread to bone after androgen-deprivation therapy, which could point to new approaches for men with metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172408 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will use laboratory-grown human prostate cancer cells, patient-derived tumor samples, and mouse models to see how IL‑1β released by AR‑negative cancer cells changes the bone environment and helps tumors resist androgen-deprivation. They will study whether IL‑1β acts directly on cancer cells or indirectly by changing bone stromal cells that support tumor growth. The researchers will also examine how androgen receptor signaling controls IL‑1β production in different tumor cell types. The work aims to connect observations in human tissues with experiments in cells and animals to identify actionable targets in the bone microenvironment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer, especially those with bone metastases or tumors lacking androgen receptor expression, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage prostate cancer, no bone metastases, or tumors that are AR‑positive and do not express IL‑1β are less likely to benefit from findings tied to AR‑negative/IL‑1β biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to therapies that block IL‑1β or its effects to slow or prevent bone metastases and improve responses to androgen‑deprivation in men with advanced prostate cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Other laboratory studies and clinical experience with IL‑1β blockers in non‑cancer conditions support the idea of targeting IL‑1β, but applying this approach specifically to AR‑negative prostate cancer in bone is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Drexel University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fatatis, Alessandro — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Fatatis, Alessandro
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.