Prostate Cancer Research Projects Get Funding

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program (ORP) has selected four projects to fund and oversee, all focused on the use of enzalutamide in treating prostate cancer. Grant funding will be provided by Pfizer Global Medical Grants and Astellas Pharma Global Development.

“This research will help us advance scientific knowledge on the mechanisms of resistance, underlying biology, and clinical effectiveness of enzalutamide-based therapy in prostate cancer,” said Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, FACP, Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, NCCN. “Congratulations to all of the grantees. We look forward to findings that may guide the development of enzalutamide and its combination with other therapies.”

The selected projects are:

• Joshi Alumkal, MD, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center – Clarifying Tumor and Microenvironmental Determinants of Enzalutamide Resistance
• Ajjai Alva, MBBS, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center – Novel Genomic Prognostic Model in Enzalutamide Treated Prostate Cancer
• Adam Sowalsky, PhD, National Cancer Institute - Bethesda – A Correlative Study of High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancers Treated with Neoadjuvant ADT Plus Enzalutamide Prior to Surgery to Assess the Molecular Basis for Sensitization with HER2 or HER3 Inhibition
• Russell Z. Szmulewitz, MD, The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center – Phase IIa Neoadjuvant Study of Enzalutamide and Androgen Deprivation with the Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Relacorilant for High-Risk Localized Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

Proposals were peer reviewed by a Scientific Review Committee, which consisted of leading expert oncologists from NCCN Member Institutions. The selected priority areas focused on the development of novel treatment approaches because of their ability to impact the unmet needs for patients with potentially lethal prostate cancer. The projects are set to be completed within three years. Collectively, the total amount of grants awarded for this study are approximately $2 million.