Is the PI3K/Akt pathway involved in the development of hormone refractory prostate cancer?
Dr Joanne Edwards, Division of Cancer Studies and Molecular Pathology, University Department of Surgery, The University of Glasgow

The object of this project is to investigate whether the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in the development of AIPC in human prostate cancer specimens.

Data obtained from this project will allow us to determine if an increase in Akt activity is related to the development of clinical AIPC, by comparing protein expression levels in paired androgen sensitive and androgen resistant tumours.

Dr Joanne Edwards and PCRF funded research technician,
Pamela Traynor

Protein expression levels will also be correlated with Gleason sum, time to relapse and time to death from relapse. It is only by unpicking the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of AIPC that we are going to be able to prolong survival of prostate cancer patients. By understanding the route by which AIPC occurs we will identify suitable therapeutic targets, of which many may already have drugs available. By increasing our knowledge about the development of AIPC we are hoping to move towards profiling treatment for individual patients according to the route by which AIPC has developed in their tumour.

Publications
Clinical Cancer Research, February 2006
 

Project commenced
June 2004

Length of project
1 year

Amount Supported
£24,276