ETS Gene Fusions as Predictive Biomarkers of Resistance to Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Abstract
The research goals of this grant proposal are to: 1) investigate the effect of ETS gene fusions on radiation phenotype in preclinical models of prostate cancer, 2) to explore the mechanism of interaction between ERG (the predominant ETS gene fusion product) and the DNA repair protein DNA-PK, and 3) to determine if ETS gene fusion status is a clinical biomarker of radioresistance for prostate cancer. The training goals of this grant proposal included a series of regular meetings with mentors, research seminars, journal clubs, and workshops, all of which are intended to help Dr. Feng develop as a translational scientist. This grant proposal was approved as a five-year award; the current annual report summarizes accomplishments over the fourth year of the grant, from July 15, 2013 to July 15, 2014. Overall, the first four years of this grant have been very successful. The work accomplished as a result of this grant resulted in five publications (including a sixth in submission), five presentations, and five grants (three from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one from Celgene, and one from the Fund for Cancer Research). Additionally, Dr. Feng has met the training achievements specified in his original grant. The research proposed in this training grant represents an important area within the field of prostate cancer research. Because ETS gene fusions are thought to be driver alterations in over half of all prostate cancers, understanding the mechanistic and potential clinical implications of these gene fusions has significant ramifications, particularly in the context of radiation therapy, which represents a primary treatment modality for localized prostate cancer. In the fourth year of this grant period, we have accomplished another two subtasks, for a total of 17 out of 20 originally proposed subtasks accomplished over the first four years of this grant. These two subaims included one aimed at studying the functional significance of the interaction between ETS fusions
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA614486
Entities
People
- Felix Y. Feng
Organizations
- University of Michigan