New approaches for castration‑resistant prostate cancer with SPOP mutations
Mechanism and therapeutic targeting of castration resistance in SPOP-mutated prostate cancer
Testing whether targeting molecular changes caused by SPOP mutations can help men whose prostate cancer no longer responds to hormone therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305284 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on a specific SPOP gene mutation found in some prostate cancers that often makes tumors resistant to standard hormone drugs like enzalutamide. They will study tumor samples and public patient datasets and use laboratory and mouse models to see how SPOP mutation and MAPK pathway changes lead to DNA methylation and silencing of tumor suppressor genes. The team plans to test drugs that block these pathways or reverse the epigenetic changes to see if hormone sensitivity and tumor control can be restored. If promising, lab findings could guide new clinical trials for men with SPOP‑mutant, castration‑resistant prostate cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer whose tumors carry SPOP mutations and who no longer respond to androgen‑receptor pathway inhibitors like enzalutamide.
Not a fit: People whose tumors do not have SPOP mutations or whose cancer remains well controlled by standard hormone therapy are less likely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to targeted treatments that help men with SPOP‑mutant castration‑resistant prostate cancer regain sensitivity to hormone therapy or slow tumor growth.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have linked MAPK signaling and epigenetic changes to therapy resistance, but directly targeting SPOP‑mutant castration‑resistant prostate cancer is a relatively new and mostly preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lou, Zhenkun — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lou, Zhenkun
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 below.