New Insights Into How Prostate Cancer Turns Deadly and Potential Treatment Targets

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Genetics, researchers from Emory University have uncovered the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause prostate cancer to progress into its most lethal form, neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). This transformation occurs in up to 20% of advanced cases and is characterized by rapid disease progression and resistance to current therapies. The study highlights the pivotal roles of proteins FOXA2 and NKX2-1 in reprogramming cancer cells into a more aggressive subtype. FOXA2 functions as a pioneer factor, opening up inaccessible DNA regions, while NKX2-1 activates gene programs associated with brain and lung cells, leading to NEPC development.

The team employed cutting-edge genomic and 3D mapping technologies to observe how DNA folding and looping facilitate gene activation during this transformation. They discovered that enzymes CBP and p300 are crucial in this process, orchestrating the activation of oncogenes that drive tumor growth. Importantly, drugs like CCS1477 that inhibit CBP/p300 are currently in clinical trials and have demonstrated effectiveness in blocking NEPC growth in laboratory and animal models.

This research offers promising therapeutic avenues, suggesting that targeting these epigenetic regulators could prevent or delay the transition to the treatment-resistant NEPC. By understanding these molecular drivers, future therapies can be designed to intervene early and improve patient outcomes, potentially transforming the management of advanced prostate cancer.

This study not only advances our understanding of prostate cancer biology but also paves the way for developing targeted treatments against its most aggressive forms. The findings underscore the importance of molecular research in paving the way for innovative cancer therapies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-uncovers-prostate-cancer-deadly-treatments.html