Evaluation of Fibroblast Activation Protein-Alpha (FAP) as a Diagnostic Marker and Therapeutic Target in Prostate Cancer; Annual rept. 14 Mar 2006-28 Jun 2007

摘要

Our goal is to evaluate FAP expression patterns and enzymatic activity in both normal prostate tissue and at various stages of oncogenic transformation (i.e. PIA, PIN, Localized and Advanced Cancer) to determine tumor stage in which FAP expression may play a role. A second objective is to exploit this expression in the treatment of prostate cancer by developing therapies targeted for activation by FAP. This will be accomplished by identifying selective peptide substrates for the proteolytic activity of FAP and coupling these peptides to a highly cytotoxic agent, thapsigargin, to generate prodrugs that are only activated in prostate tumors where FAP is expressed.