Targeting prostate cancer cells with DNA-damaging toxins
Official title: Enhanced delivery of site-specific DNA damaging toxins to prostate cancercells
Funded at University of North Carolina Wilmington · NIH-10654187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new treatments for prostate cancer that aim to directly attack cancer cells and make them die, while also trying to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Wilmington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $447,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R15CA274393-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10654187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who may benefit from new targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have prostate cancer may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create new molecules that specifically target prostate cancer cells and induce lethal DNA damage, leading to cell death. By focusing on the androgen receptor, which is overexpressed in these cancer cells, the study seeks to deliver toxins directly to the nucleus of the cells, causing clustered DNA damage. This approach is designed to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy while minimizing harmful side effects. The research builds on previous successes in targeting breast cancer cells, adapting the strategy for prostate cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less toxic treatments for prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in targeting breast cancer cells using similar approaches, indicating potential for this method in prostate cancer as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varadarajan, Sridhar — University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Study coordinator: Varadarajan, Sridhar
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.