Targeting specific signaling pathways to treat advanced prostate cancer
Official title: Targeting the Plk1/Pdcd4/mTORC2 Signaling to Treat Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10857196 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the body can be used to create better treatments for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer, especially for those who haven't had success with current 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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $601,289 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272483-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10857196 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with castration-resistant prostate cancer who have not responded to standard androgen signaling inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those who are responsive to current androgen signaling therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain signaling pathways, specifically the Plk1/Pdcd4/mTORC2 pathway, can be targeted to improve treatment for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The study aims to explore the role of the tumor suppressor Pdcd4 and its interaction with Plk1, a key regulator of cell cycle events, to find new therapeutic strategies for patients who do not respond to current androgen signaling inhibitors. By identifying these pathways, the research seeks to develop more effective treatment options for CRPC patients, potentially enhancing their response to therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer who have become resistant to existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways in cancer treatment, indicating potential for success in this approach.
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
A research project aims to uncover the hidden cell states that help prostate cancer resist standard therapy and how these states arise early in tumor development.
-
Enhancer RNA CYP11A1-eRNA in castration-resistant prostate cancer
Researchers are testing a new RNA-based target, CYP11A1-eRNA, to see if blocking it can hamper the growth of castration-resistant prostate cancer in the lab and animal models.
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Targeted Immunostimulatory Dual Drug Conjugates for Heterogeneous Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Researchers are testing a targeted therapy approach to help people with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by boosting the immune system and delivering drugs directly to cancer cells.
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Androgen Receptor Action in Prostate Cancer that Stops Responding to Therapy
This grant supports research to understand why certain prostate cancers stop responding to AR-targeted therapies and to find new ways to target them.
-
Hyperactive methylation in a hard-to-treat prostate cancer subtype
Researchers are studying a newly identified methylation-heavy group of advanced prostate cancer to understand its biology and find clues for better treatments.
-
Therapeutic Targeting of Lineage Plasticity in Advanced Prostate Cancer
A cancer research effort aimed at understanding and tackling how aggressive prostate cancers become resistant to standard AR-targeted therapies.
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.