New microfluidic platform to test prostate cancer drugs using patient tumor cells
Official title: Evaluation of novel microscale cell culture platform for translational drug development in prostate cancer
Funded at Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp · NIH-11536896 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new microfluidic, open platform uses patient-derived prostate cancer cells to create multi-culture tumor models that could better predict whether a treatment will work for Veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002479-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11536896 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Prostate cancer patients whose tumor tissue can be studied in a lab setting (via fresh or well-preserved samples) may contribute to the model development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors cannot be represented in the models or who are not near participating centers may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a small-scale, user-friendly platform that grows patient-derived prostate cancer cells alongside other tumor-supporting cells to mimic real tumors. Researchers will compare gene expression in these models with patient tumors to see if the lab tests predict clinical responses more accurately. The goal is to identify therapies that are more likely to succeed in people, especially Veterans who are disproportionately affected. If successful, the platform could streamline preclinical testing and speed up bringing effective drugs to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could improve the way new prostate cancer treatments are evaluated and increase the chances that therapies work in patients, including Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Recent studies show that patient-derived multi-culture tumor models can better reflect clinical responses than traditional models, but this approach is still being refined.
Where this research is happening
-
Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kosoff, David — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
- Study coordinator: Kosoff, David
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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.