New ways to treat prostate cancer that resists current medicines
Improving chemotherapy of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
This research looks for new ways to treat prostate cancer that has become resistant to standard treatments, focusing on a specific protein called Brd4.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127639 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Prostate cancer that continues to grow even after hormone therapy, known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), is a serious challenge. While current treatments like docetaxel and other hormone-blocking drugs help some patients, many eventually stop responding. This project explores a new strategy by targeting a protein called Brd4, which plays a role in prostate cancer growth and how it responds to existing therapies. We aim to understand how Brd4 is regulated and develop methods to break it down, even in cases where genetic changes make the cancer resistant to current Brd4-targeting drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer who may benefit from future therapies developed from these findings.
Not a fit: Patients without castration-resistant prostate cancer or those currently responding well to existing treatments may not directly benefit from this specific research at its current stage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatment options for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, especially those who no longer respond to existing therapies.
How similar studies have performed: While Brd4 inhibitors have shown promise in enhancing existing therapies, this project focuses on novel approaches to overcome resistance, which is a less explored area.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xiaoqi — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xiaoqi
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.