Understanding how aging cells affect prostate cancer and immune response
Official title: Uncovering the heterogenous role of senescence in prostate immune suppression and tumorigenesis
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11053641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging cells in the body might affect prostate cancer growth and the immune system, with the goal of finding new ways to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $383,156 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA282805-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American men diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly those with castration-resistant forms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex role of cellular senescence in prostate cancer, particularly how aging cells may influence tumor growth and immune suppression. By studying genetically engineered mouse models and human prostate cancer samples, the research aims to identify new biomarkers for disease progression and potential therapeutic targets. The focus is on understanding how certain senescent cells contribute to either tumor suppression or promotion, which could lead to more effective treatments for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for diagnosing and treating aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of senescence in cancer, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruscetti, Marcus a. — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Ruscetti, Marcus a.
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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.