The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded a $393,401 Project Grant (CFDA 93.395 - Cancer Treatment Research) to Washington State University (WSU) to develop a PSMA-targeted small-molecule dual drug conjugate (SMDDC) for delivering two distinct chemotherapeutic payloads to prostate cancer cells. The goal is to enhance the potency and efficacy of chemotherapy treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and other PSMA-positive malignancies. The research will involve assessing the spatio-temporal cargo release of a PSMA-targeted SMDPC probe and evaluating the in vitro effectiveness of an SMDDC bearing both MMAE and exatecan chemotherapies compared to single-drug formulations. This innovative approach seeks to leverage PSMA-ligand internalization, pH-triggered drug release, and synergistic mechanisms of action to provide new treatment options for improving outcomes for mCRPC patients. The project period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
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