Hyperactive methylation in a hard-to-treat prostate cancer subtype
Official title: Project 2 - Investigating Clinical and Biological Implications of a Novel Hypermethylated Subtype of Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11415138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a newly identified methylation-heavy group of advanced prostate cancer to understand its biology and find clues for better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $524,669 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA275741-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, particularly those whose tumors show the hypermethylated CpG methylator phenotype (CMP).
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not exhibit CMP or who are not candidates for epigenetic-targeted approaches may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at a specific, aggressive form of metastatic prostate cancer that no longer responds to standard hormone therapy. By analyzing DNA methylation patterns in tumor samples, the team aims to uncover what makes this subtype special and how it might affect prognosis and response to therapy. The study builds on existing genetic and transcript data to map epigenetic features and identify possible treatment vulnerabilities. The work is led by UC San Francisco and involves analyzing patient tumor samples to translate findings into clinical insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new biomarkers and therapeutic targets to guide personalized treatment for patients with this aggressive prostate cancer subtype.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that methylation patterns can define subtypes and influence outcomes, supporting the potential for meaningful advancements in CMP-positive mCRPC.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Small, Eric J — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Small, Eric J
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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.