Understanding how the tumor environment affects cancer treatment resistance

Mechanisms of microenvironment mediated resistance to cancer cell surface targeted therapeutics

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10897095

This study is looking at how the environment around prostate cancer tumors affects how well treatments work, using a special model to mimic the bone marrow, with the hope of finding better ways to help patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10897095 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) influence the effectiveness of cancer therapies, particularly in advanced prostate cancer. By creating a tissue chip model that mimics the bone marrow TME, the study aims to better understand how tumor cells interact with surrounding cells, which can lead to treatment resistance. This innovative approach seeks to improve the pre-screening of new cancer treatments, ensuring they are more effective before reaching clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to enhance treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with advanced castrate-resistant prostate cancer, particularly those with bone metastases.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those without bone metastases may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer therapies and improved survival rates for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that incorporating the tumor microenvironment into therapeutic testing can lead to more successful outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

Madison, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.