Understanding Plk1 for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Plk1 as a prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · NIH-11121738
This project looks for new ways to treat prostate cancer that has become resistant to standard hormone therapies.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LEXINGTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11121738 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Prostate cancer often relies on hormone signals (androgen receptor, or AR) to grow, and current treatments called androgen signaling inhibitors (ASIs) target these signals. However, many prostate cancers eventually become resistant to ASIs, making new treatment options urgently needed. This research explores how a protein called Plk1 affects the ability of cancer cells to repair their DNA, especially in ASI-resistant prostate cancer. The goal is to see if targeting Plk1 can make a drug called olaparib, which helps in cancers with DNA repair issues, more effective for these patients. This approach aims to identify specific groups of patients who might benefit most from this combination therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who have become resistant to androgen signaling inhibitors might be ideal candidates for future applications of this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose prostate cancer still responds well to current androgen signaling inhibitors or who do not have ASI-resistant CRPC may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective treatments for prostate cancer that no longer responds to standard hormone therapies, potentially by making existing drugs work better.
How similar studies have performed: While olaparib is used for cancers with DNA repair defects like BRCA mutations, this specific strategy of targeting Plk1 to enhance olaparib's effectiveness in ASI-resistant prostate cancer is a novel approach building on preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
LEXINGTON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY — LEXINGTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LIU, XIAOQI — UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- Study coordinator: LIU, XIAOQI
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.