Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, causing about 3,300 deaths per year. We have identified some small RNAs called microRNAs and other hormone regulators that can interfere with prostate cancer cell growth and signaling via the testosterone pathway. In this application we will be exploring the potential for each of these agents to reduce prostate cancer growth and the possibility that one or more could develop into a therapeutic target in the future.
Targeting A Master Regulator Of Tumour Cell Plasticity As A New Adjuvant Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,338.00
Summary
Prostate cancer (PCa) claims the lives of over 3,000 Australian men each year. This highlights the urgent need to identify new molecular targets that can be developed as additional therapies for men with PCa. Our team has identified the protein, Zeb1, to be highly expressed in aggressive and treatment resistant forms of PCa. This study aims to characterise the role of Zeb1 in the lethal progression of PCa and to develop a new therapeutic agent to inhibit the production of ZEB1 by cancer cells.
Targeting MicroRNA-driven Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition To Suppress Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$741,831.00
Summary
Prostate cancer kills ~3,000 men per year in Australia. The development of metastasis is the major cause of prostate cancer-associated death and has limited treatment options. In this study, we will characterise the role of a group of molecules, termed microRNAs, in prostate cancer metastasis. We will also test whether targeting microRNAs using novel drugs termed antagomiRs is an effective strategy to inhibit metastasis and thereby improve prostate cancer mortality.
Identification Of PACE-1 As A Novel Therapeutic Target For The Treatment Of Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,144.00
Summary
Advanced prostate cancer (PCa) remains the major therapeutic challenge since neither surgery nor systemic therapies are effective at this stage. Recently, we identified a protein called PACE-1 that is essential for PCa cell survival. We plan to investigate the roles of PACE-1 in the development and progression of prostate cancer. We will then test if PACE-1 inactivation alone or in combination with systemic cancer therapies will inhibit prostate tumor growth and disease progression.