Understanding mitochondrial changes in high-risk prostate cancer
Official title: Investigating mitochondrial dysfunction in high-risk prostate cancer
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11231990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in mitochondrial DNA might affect prostate cancer in African American men, who are more likely to face serious cases, with the hope of finding ways to predict and improve treatment for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,847 |
| NIH project number | 4R00CA276713-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American men who are at high risk for developing aggressive prostate cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low-risk prostate cancer or those not of African American descent may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mitochondrial DNA alterations in prostate cancer, particularly focusing on African American men who are at higher risk for aggressive disease. The study aims to identify specific mitochondrial changes that could help in predicting which patients are more likely to develop severe forms of prostate cancer. By analyzing these genetic factors, the research seeks to improve early detection and treatment strategies tailored to individual patients. The ultimate goal is to enhance survival rates by providing better precision medicine approaches based on mitochondrial insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for identifying and treating high-risk prostate cancer patients, potentially increasing their chances of survival.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on genetic factors in prostate cancer, the focus on mitochondrial DNA alterations is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Papachristodoulou, Alexandros — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Papachristodoulou, Alexandros
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Overcoming Resistance to AR-Targeted Therapy in High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Researchers are studying why some high-risk prostate cancers stop responding to AR pathway inhibitors and trying new strategies to improve outcomes for men with aggressive, localized disease.
-
Tumor environment players in advanced prostate cancer spread
Researchers are studying how the tissue around prostate tumors helps cancer spread, in men with high-risk disease.
-
Integrated genomic and AI pathology biomarkers to guide high-risk prostate cancer treatment
A prostate cancer research project tests how genomic and AI-based pathology tools can help tailor who should receive added ARSI therapy with standard radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
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Mitochondrial changes in high-risk prostate cancer
This project looks at changes in mitochondrial DNA and cell energy systems in men, especially African American men, with high‑risk prostate cancer to find markers that predict who will develop aggressive disease.
-
How high-risk prostate tumors and nearby cells kick off cancer spread
This project looks at how high-risk prostate tumors and the immune and support cells around them start to spread by using advanced scans and detailed analysis of removed prostate tissue.
-
Blocking stromal signals to make androgen-blocking treatment work better for high-risk prostate cancer
Researchers are trying to improve outcomes for people with high-risk localized prostate cancer by blocking signals from nearby stromal cells so androgen-blocking drugs work more fully.
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.