Prostate inflammation and its role in aggressive prostate cancer
Prostate inflammatory lesions as a proving ground for development of aggressive prostate cancer
This project looks at how long-term prostate inflammation in older men might allow cells to change and become aggressive prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168913 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have chronic prostate inflammation or are undergoing a prostate biopsy, researchers would study your tissue alongside lab and animal models to understand how inflammation and tissue atrophy can promote cancer. They will examine immune cells, immune signals like PD-L1, and epigenetic changes that let some cells survive and grow. The team combines basic lab experiments with a translational project aimed at finding markers or mechanisms that could be targeted in people. Findings could point to new tests or treatment approaches to stop inflammation-driven cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men, especially older men undergoing prostate biopsy or treatment for suspected prostate cancer or those with evidence of chronic prostate inflammation, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without prostate inflammation or those with unrelated health conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect or block prostate cancers that arise from long-term inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked inflammation to prostate cancer risk but immune-based treatments have mostly failed in typical prostate tumors, so this combined basic-to-translational approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Marzo, Angelo Michael — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: De Marzo, Angelo Michael
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.