Understanding advanced prostate cancer using mouse models

Preclinical analyses of advanced prostate cancer in genetically-engineered mice

['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11258968

Researchers are learning how BRCA1 and BRCA2 changes drive aggressive prostate cancer using specially bred mice to help find better treatments for men with treatment‑resistant disease.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11258968 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project uses genetically engineered mice that lose Brca1 or Brca2 in the prostate to replicate changes seen in men with advanced prostate cancer. The team studies how these changes cause fast‑growing, bone‑spreading tumors and how hormone (androgen) deprivation makes the disease worse. They combine the mouse experiments with computational tools, called OncoLoop, to match individual patient tumor profiles to the best mouse models and to predict drugs to test. The combined lab and computer approach aims to identify treatments targeted to specific molecular forms of aggressive prostate cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Men with advanced or treatment‑resistant prostate cancer, especially those whose tumors have BRCA1, BRCA2, or other DNA‑repair gene alterations, are the ideal candidates to benefit from this research.

Not a fit: Men with early‑stage prostate cancer, tumors without DNA‑repair defects, or those unable to provide genomic data or samples are less likely to gain direct benefit from these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal drug matches or treatment strategies that better help men with BRCA-related or DNA‑repair–defective advanced prostate cancer.

How similar studies have performed: PARP inhibitors have helped some men with BRCA‑mutant prostate cancer and mouse models have guided such discoveries, though the patient‑to‑mouse matching platform used here is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.