How loss of SYNCRIP and APOBEC1 can drive resistance to prostate hormone therapy
Elucidating the Molecular Role of SYNCRIP in Prostate Cancer and AR Targeted Therapy Resistance
Researchers are looking at how losing a protein called SYNCRIP and increased activity of the APOBEC1 enzyme may make advanced prostate cancer stop responding to common hormone-targeted treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11078338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines why some advanced prostate cancers become resistant to androgen receptor (AR) targeted therapies by studying the role of SYNCRIP and the DNA-editing enzyme APOBEC1. Scientists are using a combination of laboratory cell experiments, animal models, and analysis of tumor samples from patients to trace how SYNCRIP loss increases APOBEC-related mutations. The team will define how SYNCRIP normally controls APOBEC1 and test whether blocking APOBEC1 can restore sensitivity to AR-targeted drugs. If you have advanced or treatment-resistant prostate cancer, researchers may seek tumor samples or clinical data to connect these laboratory findings to patient cases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, particularly those whose tumors are not responding to AR-targeted therapy or who have evidence of SYNCRIP loss, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People with early-stage prostate cancer, non-AR-driven prostate tumors, or cancers that lack SYNCRIP/APOBEC involvement are less likely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets such as APOBEC1 to prevent or reverse resistance to AR-targeted therapies, potentially improving outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked APOBEC enzymes to cancer mutation patterns and therapy resistance, but targeting the SYNCRIP–APOBEC1 interaction in prostate cancer is a newer and still-emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mu, Ping — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Mu, Ping
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.