Institution - University of Glasgow
Researcher - Dr Joanne Edwards
Grant award - £130,220
Duration - 2011-2013
Reference - PG10-15 Edwards

Why we funded it

This study will investigate why men with prostate cancer stop responding to treatment. When men stop responding to treatment their prostate cancer progresses quickly and their survival period is reduced to an average of 24 months.  By understanding why this happens, we might be able to prevent/delay it.

Scientific title

The role of IKKa and IKKb in prostate cancer progression.

Research project summary

The research team plan to use to use prostate cancer specimens taken from men before treatment and after the men no longer respond to treatment to investigate what changes occur.  Once identified, these changes will be altered and/or manipulated to see if this will stop the cancer from further growing. More specifically, the team are interested in a group of molecules in an inflammatory pathway, known as NFkB, IKKa and IKKb. This is a very well characterised inflammation pathway which is thought to be involved in prostate cancer becoming resistant to hormone treatments. Inflammatory pathways are also under investigation in other studies as potential driving factors behind the development of prostate cancer. If successful this project could provide alternative ways of treating prostate cancer.

What our peer reviewer had to say

This is a highly innovative and exciting project from established investigators who are experts in this area of research. The proposed study will identify potential biomarkers for advanced prostate cancer.