Understanding how Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1 affects aggressive prostate cancer
Official title: Elucidating the Role of Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1 in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-10803225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific protein called TPH1 affects a tough type of prostate cancer called neuroendocrine prostate cancer, with the hope of finding new treatments that could help patients when standard therapies aren't working.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $497,109 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA279528-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10803225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with neuroendocrine prostate cancer or those with castration-resistant prostate cancer exhibiting neuroendocrine features.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those without neuroendocrine characteristics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) in neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), a severe form of prostate cancer with a poor prognosis. The study aims to identify how TPH1 contributes to the growth and differentiation of NEPC cells, particularly in cases where traditional treatments have failed. By using genetic and pharmacological methods to inhibit TPH1, researchers will assess its impact on cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in laboratory models. The ultimate goal is to develop targeted therapies that could improve survival rates for patients with this aggressive cancer subtype.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies that significantly prolong survival for patients with neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways in other cancer types, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Boyang — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Boyang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Effects of ADT on motivation and emotion in prostate cancer patients
This project looks at how androgen deprivation therapy may affect motivation and mood over time in men with prostate cancer.
-
Causal Protein Markers to Understand and Predict Prostate Cancer Risk in Africans and Europeans
A cancer research project looking at proteins linked to prostate cancer to better understand why it happens and how risk differs between African and European populations.
-
Ethical multimodal AI platform to improve prostate cancer detection with ultrasound
A patient-friendly AI system uses ultrasound and MRI information to help doctors better find prostate cancer, aiming to improve accuracy and access.
-
Characterizing epigenetic targets in prostate cancer to help AR-driven cancer
A research project at MD Anderson aims to understand how epigenetic factors shape androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer to find new ways to treat resistant forms of the disease.
-
AR and RNA-binding in prostate cancer resistance
A cancer research grant exploring how the androgen receptor’s interaction with RNA may drive treatment resistance in prostate cancer, with potential to guide new therapies.
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.