Akash Patnaik

About Akash Patnaik

Obesity has been identified as an important adverse prognostic factor for death due to prostate cancer. Dr. Patnaik will investigate the molecular mechanisms that link obesity to poor outcomes in prostate cancer patients. Hormones such as insulin are increased in obese patients and are known to drive the progression and survival of prostate cancer cells. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that men who are treated with Metformin, a Type II diabetes medication, have a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Since Type II diabetes and obesity are strongly associated, Dr. Patnaik and his team propose to evaluate the capacity of Metformin and related medications to prolong overall survival of patients with advanced prostate cancer. He will determine the molecular mechanism of action of Metformin in prostate cancer and will gain an understanding of the molecular events caused by obesity, which confer poor prostate cancer prognosis. This work will provide rationale for a new metabolic treatment strategy for advanced prostate cancer.