A Novel Human-to-Mouse-to-Human Approach for the Elucidation of Prostate Cancer Pathways and Druggable Targets—Identifying Shared Human and Mouse Molecules May Eliminate Traditional Limitations of Animal Models and Speed New Drug Intervention

Investigator: Cory Abate-Shen, PhD–Professor of Urology and Pathology, Director of Research, Department of Urology, Associate Director, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University

This project will compare all dysfunctional regulatory and signaling molecules in common between mouse prostate cancer and human prostate cancer. These molecules may represent a new set of “druggable” targets. Unlike typical drug discovery processes, where animal models are of questionable relevance to human biology, common genes and pathways between man and mouse prostate cancer should be fully amenable to animal model testing. This creative project promises to generate new targets for therapeutic intervention in prostate cancer and speed their development.

Progress Report:

Dr. Abate-Shen’s research goals are to identify new molecules that drive prostate cancer progression. Her approach to this problem is novel. Dr. Abate-Shen is using state-of-the-art systems biology to dissect out master control genes of prostate cancer by comparing data collected from both human and mouse studies. Systems biology is defined as the study of multiple cellular components simultaneously using rigorous data integration with mathematical models to understand overall cellular function.

Since there is a high degree of genetic conservation between human and mouse the hypothesis is that molecules that are identified as abundant in prostate cancer of both species are likely critical drivers of the disease. Dr. Abate-Shen and her team have made significant progress in developing the platform required to establish this global systems biology program. The hope is that this program will identify new therapeutic targets for prostate cancer treatments.