Targeting Plk1, Pdcd4, and mTORC2 to Treat Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Official title: Targeting the Plk1/Pdcd4/mTORC2 Signaling to Treat Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11332921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of Kentucky aims to find new ways to treat castration-resistant prostate cancer by focusing on how certain cell signals interact, with the potential to help men whose cancer no longer responds to current hormone therapies.
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 start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $628,565 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272483-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are men with castration-resistant prostate cancer who have progressed on or after androgen-signaling inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not involve the Plk1/Pdcd4/mTORC2 pathway may not benefit from these approaches.
What this research studies
This project looks at how specific proteins (Plk1, Pdcd4, and mTORC2) control prostate cancer cell growth and resistance to hormone therapies. Researchers plan to uncover how Pdcd4 is regulated and how Plk1 influences Pdcd4 to identify new targets for therapy. The work builds on prior findings that blocking Plk1 can boost the effectiveness of existing androgen-signaling inhibitors. The long-term goal is to develop treatment options for CRPC patients who no longer respond to standard ASIs. The study will use molecular and cellular approaches to map these signaling pathways and test potential interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new drugs or combinations that overcome resistance to current therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests targeting Plk1 can enhance ASI effects, supporting exploration of this pathway in CRPC.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xiaoqi — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xiaoqi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how aggressive cell states emerge in castration-resistant prostate cancer
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Enhancer RNA CYP11A1-eRNA in castration-resistant prostate cancer
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Targeted Immunostimulatory Dual Drug Conjugates for Heterogeneous Metastatic Prostate Cancer
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Therapeutic Targeting of Lineage Plasticity in Advanced Prostate Cancer
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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.