Investigating Samuraciclib, a CDK7 inhibitor, as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. While treatments that target the androgen receptor (AR) are initially effective, many patients develop resistance, leading to more aggressive disease. This research investigates whether Samuraciclib, a drug that blocks CDK7, can overcome this resistance and improve treatment outcomes.

CDK7 is a key regulator of both gene activity (transcription) and the cell cycle, helping prostate cancer cells grow and survive. By blocking CDK7, Samuraciclib may reduce cancer cell growth and enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies such as enzalutamide, a widely used AR-targeting drug.

This study uses prostate cancer models that are sensitive or resistant to enzalutamide to test whether Samuraciclib inhibits cancer growth. Laboratory techniques, including cell culture experiments, protein analysis, and gene activity studies, help uncover how the drug works at the molecular level.

To improve treatment options, this project also examines whether combining Samuraciclib with AR-targeted therapies provides added benefits. Additionally, the research explores whether specific genetic factors, such as changes in TP53 and RB1 genes, influence a patient's likelihood of responding to CDK7 inhibition.

Finally, findings are tested in clinically relevant models, including tumor samples from patients, to assess how Samuraciclib might work in real-world settings. By understanding how this drug interacts with prostate cancer cells and existing therapies, this research supports the development of new treatment strategies for patients whose cancer no longer responds to hormone-based therapies.