Understanding a new way to fight prostate cancer that resists treatment
Regulation of Androgen Receptor by NXTAR Long non-coding RNA in Prostate Cancer and its Therapeutic Implications
This research explores how a newly found genetic switch, called NXTAR, can help control prostate cancer that has become resistant to common medications like enzalutamide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many prostate cancers become resistant to standard treatments, including newer drugs like enzalutamide, because a protein called the androgen receptor (AR) continues to drive their growth. Our team has found a special type of genetic material, called NXTAR, that acts like a natural brake on this AR protein. When NXTAR levels are low in prostate cancer, the cancer grows more aggressively, but restoring NXTAR could help shut down the AR protein and its resistant forms. We are exploring how to boost NXTAR levels to potentially stop the growth of these hard-to-treat prostate cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients interested in the development of new therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer, especially those whose cancer has become resistant to AR-targeting drugs.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage prostate cancer that is responsive to current treatments may not directly benefit from this specific research focus on drug resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments for prostate cancer patients whose disease no longer responds to current therapies like enzalutamide.
How similar studies have performed: This approach of targeting NXTAR as a tumor suppressor is novel, though other studies have explored different ways to overcome androgen receptor resistance in prostate cancer.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mahajan, Nupam P — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Mahajan, Nupam P
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 below.