A new treatment for advanced prostate cancer

University of BradfordDr Helen Sheldrake£49,9922011 - 2012

Why We Funded It:

This is a short project to test a new and innovative idea for developing new drugs against advanced prostate cancer, where there are currently very few treatment options for men. If successful, this work can be used to secure further funding to further develop treatments for advanced prostate cancer. It is vital to provide funding for research ideas at the very early stages - without these projects, we would never reach the point of a new successful drug becoming available for men living with advanced disease.

Scientific Title: Development of dual β3 integrin antagonists as a novel anti-metastatic therapeutic for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Research Project Summary:

Evidence shows that the abnormally high expression of two Beta-3 integrins in prostate cancer cells plays a key role in the spread of the cancer cells into the bones, and the formation of tumours there. In order to stop prostate cancer spreading to the bones Dr Sheldrake is proposing to develop a treatment that will block these integrins.

This type of drug (called a dual Beta-3 integrin antagonist) has never been investigated before. Dr Sheldrake and her team have prepared 50 molecules designed to stop integrins receptors from sticking to molecules which are important in aiding cancer cell movement and survival. These molecules will be tested to discover how efficiently they prevent prostate cancer cells sticking to and moving across artificial bone structures developed in the laboratory bone-like environment. The most effective of the 50 molecules tested compounds will be selected for further development. This type of treatment has an effect on prostate cancer cells only, and not normal cells, so will not cause the severe side effects that are common in treatment with older anticancer drugs. Ultimately, if successful the project will yield new drugs to improve survival rates and quality of life for men in the advanced stages of prostate cancer.

Want to see how our expert peer review panel rated this project?

See links below:

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Peer reviewer quote

"The grant provides good background and rationale for the proposed work and its significance to prostate cancer treatment."

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RAC member quote

"An outstanding application. The case for using integrin antagonists is made and well supported by clinical data. The expertise of the applicants in the synthesis and development of novel agents nicely complements this need. A strong and compelling application."