NIH-funded research R21 grant

Investigating how tumor cell interactions with macrophages affect resistance to prostate cancer therapy

Official title: Targeting tumor cell macrophage lipid interactions to overcome resistance to androgen receptor targeted therapy

Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10651105 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the body might make prostate cancer tougher to treat with common therapies, and by understanding this, the researchers hope to find better ways to help patients like you respond to treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project startSeptember 14, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$423,130
NIH project number1R21CA270913-01A1
Project IDNIH-10651105 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who are undergoing androgen receptor-targeted therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-prostate cancers or those not receiving androgen receptor-targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how tumor-associated macrophages, a type of immune cell, contribute to the resistance of prostate cancer to androgen receptor-targeted therapies. By analyzing the interactions between these macrophages and cancer cells, the study aims to uncover the metabolic changes that promote cancer growth and therapy resistance. The researchers will use advanced techniques to explore how cholesterol metabolism and other factors influence these interactions, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. Patients may benefit from insights that could improve treatment outcomes for prostate cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for prostate cancer by overcoming resistance to current therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting immune cell interactions in cancer, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Indiana University Indianapolis
    Indianapolis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Elkenawi, Asmaa — Indiana University Indianapolis
  • Study coordinator: Elkenawi, Asmaa

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.