Androgen receptor (AR) signalling and drug resistance in prostate cancer

Overview

The androgen receptor (AR) is a key protein in prostate cells that binds androgen sex hormones (e.g. testosterone) that drive prostate cancer development and progression. Depriving the androgen receptor of androgens (hormone therapy) therefore forms the basis of current therapy to treat advanced prostate cancer. An altered form of the androgen receptor emerges during hormone therapy that continues to drive cancer growth without androgen. Men therefore eventually become resistant to current drugs after which no treatment options are available. We are leading research developing and trialling new androgen receptor targeted drugs to combat drug resistance and fatal disease.
Contact: Professor Wayne Tilley, Professor Lisa Butler, Associate Professor Luke Selth

Funding acknowledgement: National Health and Medical Research Council, Movember and National Breast Cancer Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Cancer Council SA, Cancer Australia (Cure Cancer Australia), Cancer Australia (Tour de Cure), US Department of Defense, The University of Adelaide, Masonic Charities Trust.