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Grants

Developing a novel therapeutic strategy targeting Kallikrein-4 to inhibit prostate cancer growth and metastasis

This study aims to develop a novel therapeutic strategy (based on molecular inhibitors and polymer chemistry) to functionally inhibit the serine protease Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK4), which has prostate cancer-promoting effects. Despite the development of next generation anti-androgen drugs and chemotherapies, castrate-resistant prostate cancer remains incurable. Thus, new therapies that target other prostate cancer-promoting pathways need to be developed. The proposed therapy aims to prevent prostate cancer progression by functionally inhibiting KLK4, which promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and homing to bone, in order to prolong patient survival and improve their quality of life. Experiments are designed to not only perform preclinical testing of the new therapy, but to also study how KLK4 promotes prostate cancer progression.

Investigators

Brian Tse APCRC-Q, IHBI, QUT, TRI

Duration

2014 - 2015

Funding

United States Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Postdoctoral Research Training Award $132 000