Using hormone therapy to enhance immune treatment for prostate cancer
Official title: Project 2: Androgen deprivation as an immune modulating therapy in combination with targeted immunotherapy of prostate cancer
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10899412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how combining hormone therapy with a special vaccine can help boost the immune system to fight prostate cancer better, and it's for men with advanced prostate cancer who want to improve their treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $351,669 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA269011-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer who are undergoing or considering hormone therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with localized prostate cancer or those who have not yet received a diagnosis of prostate cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the combination of androgen deprivation therapy and targeted immunotherapy to improve treatment outcomes for prostate cancer. The approach involves using a DNA vaccine that targets a specific part of the androgen receptor, which has shown promise in preclinical studies by activating the immune system to attack cancer cells. The researchers have previously demonstrated that this vaccine can safely elicit an immune response in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, potentially leading to longer survival times. By strategically using hormone therapy alongside immunization, the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of the immune response against prostate cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with prostate cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar immunotherapy approaches in cancer treatment, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcneel, Douglas G. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Mcneel, Douglas G.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Combination immunotherapy with radioligand therapy for metastatic prostate cancer
A study aims to help men with advanced prostate cancer by combining immune therapy with targeted radiation to boost the body’s own defense against cancer.
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Androgen deprivation as an immune boost with targeted immunotherapy for prostate cancer
This grant tests whether depriving androgens can boost the body’s immune attack against prostate cancer when combined with a vaccine-style immunotherapy.
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Isoform-selective Hsp90 inhibitors for prostate cancer therapy and immunotherapy
A new drug approach targets a specific protein (Hsp90β) in prostate cancer to fight tumors and boost immune therapy.
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Creating targeted drugs to treat advanced prostate cancer
This study is looking at new drugs that target a specific protein involved in cancer growth, hoping to make treatments for advanced prostate cancer safer and more effective, especially when combined with current immunotherapy options.
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Hormone-lowering treatment plus targeted immunotherapy for prostate cancer
This work combines hormone-lowering therapy with a vaccine that trains the immune system to attack prostate cancer cells for men with advanced prostate cancer.
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Combining targeted radioligand therapy with immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer
Seeing if adding targeted radioligand therapy to immunotherapy helps men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by boosting the immune attack on tumors.
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.