How loss of SYNCRIP and APOBEC1 can drive resistance to prostate hormone therapy
Official title: Elucidating the Molecular Role of SYNCRIP in Prostate Cancer and AR Targeted Therapy Resistance
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11078338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $410,480 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA258730-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
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Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mu, Ping — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Mu, Ping
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Genomic clues to guide therapy in advanced prostate cancer
This grant looks at how a patient’s tumor and germline DNA could predict which targeted or immune therapies will work best for advanced prostate cancer.
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Understanding SYNCRIP’s role in prostate cancer resistance to AR-targeted therapy
A study at Yale is looking at how loss of SYNCRIP makes prostate cancer less responsive to common AR-targeted treatments and what this could mean for new ways to treat resistant cancer.
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Understanding how SYNCRIP affects prostate cancer treatment resistance
This study is looking at a protein called SYNCRIP to understand why some prostate cancers stop responding to hormone treatments, with the hope of finding new ways to help patients with advanced prostate cancer get better results from their therapies.
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Genetic markers that predict treatment response in advanced prostate cancer
This project looks at whether tumor and inherited DNA changes can show which men with advanced prostate cancer are most likely to benefit from targeted drugs and immunotherapy.
-
Measuring metabolic activity in prostate cancer bone metastases using advanced MRI techniques
This study is testing a new type of MRI that uses a special substance to see how well prostate cancer treatments are working in bone metastases, helping doctors spot early signs of success or resistance to therapy so they can better care for patients.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
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.