Discovery of PROX1 Gene as an Early Indicator of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
A groundbreaking study by the University of Michigan has identified the PROX1 gene as an early driver of aggressive, treatment-resistant prostate cancer. Targeting PROX1 with existing HDAC inhibitors may offer new therapeutic options for advanced prostate cancer patients.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center have identified a crucial gene, PROX1, that significantly contributes to the progression of prostate cancer toward a more aggressive and treatment-resistant form. This gene plays a key role in the cellular transformation process known as lineage plasticity, which prostate cancer cells undergo to evade traditional therapies targeting the androgen receptor.
Prostate tumors that lose reliance on the androgen receptor — such as double-negative prostate cancer and neuroendocrine prostate cancer — display elevated levels of PROX1. The study found that increased PROX1 expression correlates inversely with androgen receptor activity and may actively regulate its suppression. Experimentally reducing PROX1 levels in aggressive prostate cancer cells led to halted growth and cell death, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target.
Given that PROX1 is a transcription factor—a type of protein traditionally difficult to target directly—researchers explored its associated molecular partners. They discovered that histone deacetylases (HDACs) interact with PROX1. Since HDAC inhibitors are already approved for other cancer treatments and can reduce PROX1 levels, this opens a promising avenue for therapy. When prostate cancer cells expressing PROX1 were treated with HDAC inhibitors, the drug depleted PROX1 and induced tumor cell death, mimicking the effects of genetic PROX1 suppression.
This research suggests that PROX1 is an early driver of prostate cancer's transition to a more aggressive and treatment-resistant state. Using HDAC inhibitors to target this pathway could offer a new treatment strategy for patients with limited options, especially those with advanced, androgen receptor-independent prostate cancers.
The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, highlighting the importance of PROX1 in prostate cancer progression and providing insights into potential targeted therapies.
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Weight-Loss Medications Significantly Reduce Alcohol Consumption, Study Finds in Ireland
Weight-loss drugs like liraglutide and semaglutide have been shown to reduce alcohol consumption by nearly two-thirds over four months, offering promising insights into their broader health benefits. Read more about this innovative research from Ireland.
Impact of Trump's Medicaid Reforms on Children's Healthcare and Hospital Funding
Medicaid reforms introduced in 2025 threaten to reduce vital funding for children's hospitals, risking care access and quality for vulnerable pediatric populations due to significant budget cuts and funding caps.
Innovative Breathing Device Promises Improved Survival for Sleep Apnea Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
New research indicates that CPAP therapy may significantly improve survival rates in people with sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
How Breast Milk Shapes Infant Immune Development and Gut Health
New research reveals that breast milk IgG plays a vital role in calibrating infant immune responses to gut bacteria, promoting long-term gut health and immune tolerance.