Making prostate cancer radiation treatment safer using genetics
Official title: Reducing toxicity from prostate cancer radiotherapy through genetics and technology
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11123461 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to discover genetic markers that can help predict which prostate cancer patients might experience side effects from radiation therapy, allowing for more personalized care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $360,281 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA292795-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123461 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is most relevant to prostate cancer patients who are considering or undergoing radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those not receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a common problem for prostate cancer patients: side effects from radiation therapy, which can impact quality of life even after successful treatment. We want to find specific genetic clues, called biomarkers, that are present in a patient's cells from birth. By identifying these markers, doctors could better understand who is more likely to develop side effects. This knowledge would allow them to adjust radiation plans or offer preventative care, ultimately making treatment safer and improving long-term well-being for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to personalized radiation therapy for prostate cancer, reducing severe side effects and improving patients' quality of life after treatment.
How similar studies have gone: While the need for such biomarkers is recognized, few specific markers predicting radiation toxicity have been identified, making this a novel and important area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kishan, Amar U — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Kishan, Amar U
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Reducing prostate cancer radiotherapy toxicity through genes and technology
A study to find genetic clues that predict who will have side effects from prostate cancer radiotherapy and to use new tools to reduce those risks.
-
MRI and blood tests to predict prostate cancer outcomes after radiation
This project uses repeated MRI scans and blood-based tumor markers to find early signs that predict how men with intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer do after radiation and hormone therapy.
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Tiny urine particles that may signal or cause bladder damage after prostate cancer radiation
Researchers will look at small particles in urine and blood to find markers or mechanisms of bladder damage in men treated with radiation for prostate cancer.
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Investigating imaging and blood markers to improve prostate cancer treatment outcomes
This study is looking to help men with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer who are getting radiation treatment by finding early signs that show how well the treatment is working, using special imaging and blood tests, so doctors can make better decisions about their care.
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Investigating how tiny particles affect bladder toxicity in prostate cancer patients after radiation treatment
This study is looking at tiny particles in the body called extracellular vesicles to see if they can help predict bladder problems in prostate cancer patients who have had radiation treatment, with the goal of finding better ways to manage these issues.
-
Improving radiation therapy for prostate cancer using targeted molecules
This study is looking at new ways to make radiation therapy for prostate cancer work better by using special molecules that target cancer cells, which could help improve treatment results and reduce side effects for 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.