How the androgen receptor's RNA interactions can cause prostate cancer to resist treatment
RNA-binding as a new paradigm for androgen receptor-mediated prostate cancer therapeutic resistance
This project looks at whether the androgen receptor's binding to RNA helps prostate cancer evade hormone therapies in men with advanced disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers found the androgen receptor (AR) can bind RNA and promote the production of splicing proteins, a function that current AR drugs do not block. They will use laboratory cell models, molecular experiments, and analysis of human tumor samples to map AR's RNA targets and the splicing factors it controls. The team will test how these RNA interactions lead to resistance to common AR-targeting therapies and whether disrupting them can restore drug sensitivity. Their goal is to identify new molecular targets that could be used to prevent or overcome treatment resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer that depends on the androgen receptor and who have progressed on AR-targeting therapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors no longer rely on the androgen receptor pathway (for example AR-negative or neuroendocrine prostate cancers) are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments or drug targets that stop or delay prostate cancer from becoming resistant to hormone therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked AR and RNA splicing in lab models, but targeting AR's RNA-binding activity is a relatively new and largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Yan — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Dong, Yan
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.