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Grants

Targeting hyperinsulinaemia in castrate resistant prostate cancer

Approximately 25% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer fail primary therapy and commence androgen deprivation therapy. This induces the ‘metabolic syndrome’ and high serum insulin levels, in turn associated with poor prognosis. This project investigates the biological effects of two drugs, clinically used to treat type 2 diabetes, metformin and thiazolidinediones, on pathways activated by insulin in androgen-deprived prostate cancer cells. These findings will provide rationale to target insulin pathways in advanced prostate cancer.

Two major pathways were nominated for investigation in this project:

  • lipogenesis and steroid biosynthesis;
  • EMT and cytotoxic resistance.

Investigators

Jennifer Gunter APCRC-Q, IHBI, QUT, TRI

Associate Investigators

Colleen Nelson APCRC-Q, IHBI, QUT, TRI
Brett Hollier APCRC-Q, IHBI, QUT, TRI
Michael Pollak McGill University, Canada
Ladan Fazli Vancouver Prostate Centre

Duration

2013 - 2015

Funding

Cure Cancer Australia Foundation and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia $351 108