Targeting a nononcogene addiction to the autocrine SEMA3C growth pathway for the treatment of lethal metastatic prostate cancer

The University of British Columbia received a $1,259,331 Project Grant award from the Department of the Army Medical Command under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420). The grant will fund research from September 2021 through September 2024 targeting a non-oncogene addiction to the autocrine SEMA3C growth pathway for the treatment of lethal metastatic prostate cancer. A portion of the work involving confirming AR-V7 regulation of SEMA3C expression and characterizing AR-V7 sequence specificity will be performed by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc. through a $TBD federal sub-award. The research aims to determine if cancer cells expressing AR-V7 remain dependent on SEMA3C for growth and are susceptible to SEMA3C pathway inhibition, with the goal of transforming healthcare for service members and the public through innovative medical solutions for battlefield wounds and cancer.