PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathway Inhibition Therapies in Metastatic and Castration Resi

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

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Abstract

The lethality of prostate cancer (PCa) is attributable to the metastatic castration resistant state (CRPC). Accordingly, an understanding of the biochemical and genetic alterations that drive metastasis and castration resistance offers the potential and promise of identifying molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. During the current SPORE funding period, we have made significant advances in the elucidation of key signaling pathways that mediate castration resistance and metastasis. To investigate the molecular underpinnings of metastasis in Aim 1 of our proposal, we will use our recently developed mouse model in which the PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK pathways are simultaneously altered, as seen in humans, in a prostate-specific fashion. The double mutants spontaneously develop metastases, which are absent in mice with single pathway alterations. Thus, these mouse models will allow us to establish the role of interactions between the PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK pathways in the development of metastasis as well as castration resistance and screen for therapeutic agents that can prevent or delay metastatic progression. Our recent studies also identified a novel mechanism of PI3K/AKT activation in response to androgen deprivation therapy, which leads to castration resistant growth. Conversely, PISK inhibition results in enhanced AR transcriptional output. Thus, the compensatory activation of one of these pathways in response to inhibition of the other represents a