Researchers from Flinders University and University of South Australia have unveiled a promising new strategy that could be used to treat the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

This study, published in British Journal of Cancer, explores the role of a novel drug, CDKI-73, to tackle drug-resistant prostate cancer that defies conventional therapies.

The study, led by Associate Professor Luke Selth from Flinders University and Professor Shudong Wang from University of South Australia, investigated the potential of targeting a protein called Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9), which plays a crucial role in the growth and survival of prostate cancer cells.

More specifically, the researchers tested whether an inhibitor of CDK9, CDKI-73, could overcome the cancer’s resistance to current treatments.

“Our research demonstrates that CDKI-73 potently blocks the growth of prostate cancer, even aggressive subtypes of the disease that are resistant to current treatments,” said Associate Professor Selth. “Importantly, CDKI-73 targets cancer cells specifically without harming normal cells and its potential as an oral capsule makes it an attractive treatment option.”

The study examined the effects of CDKI-73 using a range of prostate cancer models, including patient tumour samples, which revealed not only the effectiveness of the inhibitor but also provided new insights into its mode of action.

“This study represents a significant step forward in understanding the role of CDK9 in aggressive prostate cancer,” added Selth. “Having said that, we still need to do a lot more work to fully understand the potential of CDK9 inhibitors and to deliver a new treatment for patients.”

CDKI-73 is currently being investigated in Phase II clinical trials in patients with relapsed and therapy-resistant acute myeloid leukaemia.

Read the study ‘CDK9 inhibition inhibits multiple oncogenic transcriptional and epigenetic pathways in prostate cancer’.

Diana Spencer, Senior Digital Content Editor, DDW