Understanding NUAK2's role in aggressive prostate cancer progression
Official title: Elucidating upstream and downstream NUAK2 mechanisms in neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11459457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant aims to uncover how NUAK2 drives the switch from prostate cancer to a more aggressive neuroendocrine form to guide better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $518,589 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA317527-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11459457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who may develop or have NEPC-like features could benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without NEPC features or those not involved in future trials may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project investigates how prostate cancer becomes resistant to standard AR-targeted therapies by transforming into neuroendocrine prostate cancer, a deadly AR-independent subtype. Researchers have preliminary data suggesting NUAK2 is a key driver and that inhibiting NUAK2 may slow cancer growth. The study combines lab experiments with animal models to map NUAK2-related networks and test potential therapies, including existing drugs with NUAK2 effects. The goal is to identify biomarkers of progression and to pinpoint druggable targets that could benefit patients with resistant disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatment strategies and biomarkers for resistant prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data have shown NUAK2 involvement and responses to NUAK2 inhibition in models, suggesting a plausible path forward but human testing remains essential.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macias, Everardo — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Macias, Everardo
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.