New treatment targeting androgen production and receptors for advanced prostate cancer
Official title: Novel therapeutics dual targeting intracrine androgen synthesis and AR for advanced prostate cancer
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11056165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat advanced prostate cancer by blocking certain processes that help the cancer grow, which could lead to better results for patients who haven't had success with current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $521,811 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA271327-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with advanced prostate cancer who have shown resistance to standard androgen-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those who have not undergone androgen-targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treat advanced prostate cancer by targeting both androgen receptors and the enzymes responsible for androgen synthesis. The study focuses on inhibiting the activity of a specific enzyme, AKR1C3, which is crucial for androgen metabolism and is not affected by existing therapies like abiraterone. By developing new compounds that can simultaneously block these pathways, the research aims to reduce cancer progression and improve treatment outcomes for patients. The effectiveness of these compounds is being tested in laboratory models and patient-derived xenografts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for advanced prostate cancer, potentially overcoming resistance to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting androgen receptors and synthesis pathways, but this specific dual-targeting approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Allen C. — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Gao, Allen C.
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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.