New medicines to remove the androgen receptor and its resistant forms in prostate cancer
Novel Degraders of the Androgen Receptor (AR) and AR Splice Variants (AR-SVs)
Testing drug candidates that break down the androgen receptor and its resistant variants for men with advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292584 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing small molecules that bind a different part of the androgen receptor so the receptor and its splice variants are destroyed rather than merely blocked. Some of these molecules also block the glucocorticoid receptor, which cancers can use as a backup to resist treatment. The team plans to improve the drug chemistry to fix poor metabolism and pharmacokinetics, then test the improved compounds in lab cells and animal models before moving toward human testing. If the work progresses, the goal is to create new treatment options for castration‑resistant prostate cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with advanced or castration‑resistant prostate cancer whose tumors depend on the androgen receptor or express AR splice variants would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with prostate cancers that do not express the androgen receptor, or people with other non‑prostate cancers, are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce new drugs that work when current hormone therapies fail, potentially slowing tumor growth or extending survival.
How similar studies have performed: Other groups developing androgen receptor degraders and related PROTAC approaches have shown promising preclinical and early‑phase results, but the combined AR‑and‑GR targeting strategy here is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narayanan, Ramesh — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Narayanan, Ramesh
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.