Molecular drivers of lineage changes and new therapies for metastatic prostate cancer
Official title: The Molecular Drivers and Therapeutic Susceptibilities in Lineage State Transitions of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11389345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-year study at a major university will explore how metastatic prostate cancer changes its cell type and how to target those changes to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,510,596 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA298991-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who may undergo biopsies or have available tissue samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease does not involve lineage plasticity or who are not eligible for biopsies or sample collection may not benefit.
What this research studies
This program investigates how prostate cancer cells switch between different cellular states under treatment pressure, which can drive resistance to existing therapies. Researchers will combine tissue analysis, genomic profiling, and CRISPR-based screens to identify early events that push cancer cells into more aggressive lineages. The goal is to uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can be translated into more effective treatments for men with advanced disease. The project emphasizes patient-derived tissue and advanced laboratory models to connect molecular changes with potential clinical benefits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection of resistant cancer states and new treatment strategies that improve survival and quality of life for men with metastatic prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked lineage plasticity and p53/RB alterations to resistant phenotypes, with ongoing efforts translating these findings into therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lang, Joshua — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Lang, Joshua
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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.