Development of Novel Targeted Therapy for Prostate Cancer

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed cancer among men in developed countries including the United States with significant medical cost burdens. Tremendous advances have been made in PCa screening technologies, which allow early detection and treatment. Common treatment options include radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy (RT) and interstitial RT (brachytherapy), cryotherapy, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Despite these advances, more than a quarter million men still die globally from the disease every year due primarily to treatment-resistance and metastasis. The androgen receptor (AR) expression state is one of the key hallmarks of PCa sustenance and progression. ADT, the first-line treatment option for symptomatic metastatic PCa, starves tumor of growth-promoting androgen hormones such as testosterone. ADT drugs (called antiandrogens) in clinical use, either as monotherapy or combination therapy (with castration), include bicalutami