Probing the CXCR6/CXCL16 Axis: Targeting Prevention of Prostate Cancer Metastasis

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We have recently generated experimental data that validates the CXCR6/CXCL16 axis as a prostate cancer (PCa) therapeutic target. PCa is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men and its morbidity has increased globally in recent years. The high mortality rate is closely associated with the spread of malignant cells to various tissues including bone. Nearly 10% of patients whose conditions are diagnosed as PCa initially present with bone metastasis and almost all patients who die of prostate cancers have skeletal involvement. Identifying new mechanisms that control bone metastasis is of great consequence to facilitate the design of therapeutics aimed at decreasing metastatic risk and/or its complications. To address this unmet medical need, our team is actively engaged in exploring the chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and therapeutic significance of modulating tumor cell trafficking and metastasis via chemokine receptor inhibition. This R03 application describes an MLPCN HTS-ready research program which is within the interests and expertise of our laboratories. The primary objective of this proposal is to use high throughput screening methods to identify small molecule antagonist probes that selectively inhibit CXCR6. Our team intends to address a key hypothesis: The CXCR6/CXCL16 axis significantly contributes to PCa cell metastasis and subsequent bone invasion. A small molecule antagonist would block cancer cell trafficking; hence mediate a metastatic event and disease progression to bone. We demonstrate supporting data that validates the role of the CXCR6/CXCL16 axis in PCa tumor progression, invasion, and proliferation. Thus, access to pharmacologically available small molecule antagonists will ultimately enable our studies in disease relevant models and allow for a more seamless translational advance to clinical applications.