Understanding what drives lethal metastatic prostate cancer in men
Official title: Defining and Characterizing Drivers of Lethal Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11411456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at why some prostate cancers become deadly and spread, using patient-derived cells and mouse models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | March 16, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $192,995 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121316-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include men with prostate cancer whose disease is progressing or at risk of becoming metastatic, particularly those with specific genetic profiles studied in the project.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with localized, non-metastatic prostate cancer or non-responsive to potential targets identified may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study genetic factors that push prostate cancer from a slow-growing, treatable form to an aggressive, metastatic one. They will use patient-derived organoids and mouse tumor models to investigate how the Axl receptor influences this switch. The team plans to validate the role of Axl in sustaining a pro-metastatic cell state and examine how therapies like androgen deprivation therapy affect Axl-deficient cancers. The findings could reveal new biological targets to prevent or slow metastasis in men with prostate cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to stop or slow metastatic prostate cancer, potentially guiding better treatments for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest a clear link between Axl signaling and metastatic behavior in prostate cancer, with translation in other cancer models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mathew, Grinu — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mathew, Grinu
Related research
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A multi-year study at a major university will explore how metastatic prostate cancer changes its cell type and how to target those changes to help patients.
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How gut bacteria may affect prostate cancer therapy and resistance
A new study looks at how gut bacteria make compounds that influence prostate cancer treatments and may drive resistance to therapy.
-
Blood test to detect resistance to hormone therapy in advanced prostate cancer
This project tests a new blood-based DNA test to spot early resistance to androgen (hormone) therapies in men with advanced prostate cancer.
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.