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Lipid metabolism as targetable weakness of prostate cancer

About

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer type among men in developed countries and second-third most common cause of cancer death among men. Localised prostate cancer can often be treated curatively with surgery or radiation therapy, but in advanced disease no curative options are currently known. Metastatic prostate cancer can often be managed with androgen deprivation and oncological drugs, but treatment resistance inevitably develops. Mechanisms behind treatment resistance are incompletely understood.

We are a clinical research team with strong commitment to improve prostate cancer care through deeper understanding of biology underlying disease progression and treatment resistance. Our main focus is exploring the roles of lipid and cholesterol metabolism at different phases of prostate cancer progression.

We carry out investigator -initiated randomised clinical trials. During these trials we collect biological samples for translational studies evaluating biomarkers for disease progression and for creation of organoid models to be used in vitro. In cell culture studies we characterise distanct roles of lipid and cholesterol metabolism in prostate cancer immune microenvironment, adaptation to hypoxia and in the interaction between prostate cancer cells and the surrounding stroma.

Currently active clinical trials

ESTO2

A randomised clinical trial testing whether addition of cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin improves efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy against advanced prostate cancer. Participants receive standard of care treatment for prostate cancer, but additionally use study drug which includes atorvastatin in 50% and placebo in 50% of participants.

Trial is currently active and recruiting participants. Eligible participants have:

  • androgen deprivation therapy started for advanced prostate cancer no longer than 3 months earlier
  • No ongoing statin therapy or previous adverse effects from statins

TASTEPRO

A randomised trial testing whether tailoring of radiation therapy is of similar efficacy but better tolerated compared to template-based standard radiotherapy in a clinical situation when prostate cancer has secured after previous radical prostatectomy.

The trial is active and recruiting men who have:

  • radiation therapy planned to treat prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy
  • PSMA-PET imaging show suspicious metastases in pelvic lymph nodes

SPCG-17

A randomised trial recruiting men with low-risk prostate cancer and undergoing active surveillance. Participants are randomised to either active surveillance protocol following standard criteria for prostate biopsy and prostate cancer treatment or to standard active surveillance protocol.

Eligible patients have:

  • low or medium risk prostate cancer deemed fir for active surveillance