Columbia Technology Ventures

Epigenetic therapy for prostate cancer treatment

This technology combines anti-androgen therapy with epigenetic modification for the treatment or prevention of neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

Unmet Need: Treatment and prevention of neuroendocrine prostate cancer

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive subtype of prostate cancer that often develops in castration-resistant prostate cancers as a response to treatment. There are currently no effective standard treatments specific for NEPC, with platinum chemotherapies and taxanes being the most commonly used treatments. Unfortunately, these treatments can result in toxic side effects and generally have a low median survival rate. A more targeted therapy for NEPC is needed to improve outcomes for patients.

The Technology: Epigenetic therapy for treatment or prevention of neuroendocrine prostate cancer

This therapy combines epigenetic modification with anti-androgen therapy to treat or prevent neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Inhibition of an epigenetic pathway in NEPC cells leads to a loss of neuroendocrine differentiation and a transition to a more treatable mesenchymal adenocarcinoma state. Inhibition of epigenetic regulators combined with anti-androgen therapy results in tumor reduction and loss of neuroendocrine cells even in anti-androgen therapy resistant cells.

This technology has been validated with human organoid models and organoid allografts in mice.

Applications:

  • Treatment of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC)
  • Research tool for studying epigenetic regulation of NEPC, anti-androgen therapy resistance in NEPC, and the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) to NEPC
  • Preventative therapy for NEPC

Advantages:

  • Effective for treatment of NEPC
  • Prevents differentiation to aggressive neuroendocrine subtype
  • Improves efficacy of standard anti-androgen treatment

Lead Inventor:

Michael Shen, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

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