Stopping prostate cancer cells from switching into treatment‑resistant types

Targeting early events in prostate cancer lineage plasticity

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11238520

The team aims to stop prostate cancer cells from changing into forms that no longer respond to hormone therapy for men with advanced or recurring prostate cancer.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11238520 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Standard hormone treatments block the androgen receptor and usually slow prostate cancer, but they can also push some tumors to change identity and become therapy‑resistant. This project studies the early molecular events that cause prostate cancer cells to undergo that lineage change, using lab experiments with cancer cells, animal models, and patient tumor samples. The researchers will identify key drivers of plasticity and test strategies to prevent or reverse the change so tumors remain sensitive to hormone therapy. The work links findings from the bench to human tumor tissues to increase chances that discoveries could lead to new treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men with advanced, recurrent, or hormone‑resistant prostate cancer who may be monitored or treated at centers conducting translational research.

Not a fit: Patients with early localized prostate cancer cured by surgery or radiation, or people without prostate cancer, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project in the near term.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse treatment‑resistant prostate cancer and extend response to hormone therapy.

How similar studies have performed: Targeting lineage plasticity is an emerging approach with promising preclinical results but limited clinical proof so far.

Where this research is happening

MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.