Understanding how the area around prostate cancer helps it spread and resist treatment
Defining Tumor Microenvironmental Mediators of Prostate Cancer Metastasis and Therapy Resistance
['FUNDING_R01'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11126860
This project aims to understand why prostate cancer spreads and becomes resistant to treatment, focusing on how the environment around the tumor plays a role.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11126860 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Metastatic prostate cancer is currently incurable, and many patients eventually develop resistance to standard treatments that target the androgen receptor pathway. We know that the area surrounding the tumor, called the tumor microenvironment, can influence how cancer cells behave. This project focuses on specific cells within this environment, called cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and a protein they produce called Asporin (ASPN). We believe ASPN helps prostate cancer cells spread and resist current medications, like enzalutamide. By learning more about how ASPN works, we hope to find new ways to overcome treatment resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer, particularly those who have developed resistance to androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, are the ultimate focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients without prostate cancer or those whose cancer has not spread or developed resistance to current therapies would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment strategies for metastatic prostate cancer, especially for patients whose cancer has become resistant to current therapies.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer is an active area of research, this project focuses on specific mechanisms involving Asporin (ASPN) that are still being uncovered.
Where this research is happening
NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES
- VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER — NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HURLEY, PAULA JILL — VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: HURLEY, PAULA JILL
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.