Improving prostate cancer treatment by increasing PSMA levels
Official title: Augmenting PSMA expression to enhance PSMA directed therapeutic efficacy
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11017822 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain drugs can help make prostate cancer treatments work better by increasing a protein called PSMA on cancer cells, which could lead to improved outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $668,068 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA286450-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017822 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have low or no PSMA expression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those who do not express PSMA may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of prostate cancer therapies by increasing the expression of PSMA, a protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. The study aims to explore how certain drugs can boost PSMA levels, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for patients receiving PSMA-targeted therapies. By investigating the mechanisms that regulate PSMA expression, the research seeks to identify new strategies that could improve the efficacy of existing treatments like 177Lu-PSMA-617. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer may benefit from this innovative approach to therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for men with advanced prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing treatment efficacy through targeted therapies, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haffner, Michael C — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Haffner, Michael C
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.