NIH-funded research R01 grant

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.

More Prostate Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kentucky
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lexington, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$628,565
NIH project number5R01CA272483-04
Project IDNIH-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.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.