Developing targeted drugs to treat advanced prostate cancer

Grant information

Institution – University of Bath
Researcher – Dr Matthew David Lloyd
Grant award - £278,037
Duration of funding – 2015-2018
Status - Complete
Reference – PG14-009

The project in a nutshell

• This research focusses on an enzyme called AMACR which is found in prostate cancer cells and helps cancer to grow. 
• In this project Dr Lloyd and team sought to explore a method of measuring AMACR activity.
• By measuring how active the AMACR enzyme is, the team can test the effectiveness of drugs designed to block AMACR activity.
• The team predict that blocking AMACR activity will slow or even stop the growth of advanced prostate cancer.

Why did we fund this project?

• We know that AMACR is involved in prostate cancer development because when AMACR activity levels are lowered, prostate cancer cell growth is also reduced and treatments are more effective.
• The full potential of this approach has not been explored because it is technically difficult to measure AMACR activity, making it challenging to judge if the activity has been reduced.
• With a successful method of measuring AMACR activity it would be possible to develop drugs which can target it and help fight advanced prostate cancer. 

What did the team do?

• The team developed a method which would allow them to measure AMACR activity by studying the release of an intensely yellow product from a colourless molecule- this is known as a colorimetric assay.
• With a rapid reliable test in place the team progressed to identifying drugs they could use to block AMACR.
• They screened libraries of drugs, and created some of their own, to find suitable candidates for further testing.

What did the team achieve?

• Throughout the project researchers successfully developed a method for measuring AMACR function.
• Thanks to thorough testing they were able to eliminate multiple different groups of drugs and have identified several promising candidates which they hope to test in future projects. 
• The team have also spread the word about their important work by publishing their research, speaking at public engagement events and supported the scientific community by training junior scientists to join the field of prostate cancer research.

How will this benefit men?

• A successful test to measure the function of AMACR is the first exciting step on a path which will allow researchers to develop drugs to tackle advanced prostate cancer from a new angle. 
• We continue to fund research to develop new treatments for men with advanced prostate cancer which are essential to extend lives and improve quality of life.