September 2024

UROLOGY

OVERCOMING HORMONE THERAPY RESISTANCE WITH SARKI ABDULKADIR, MD, PHD

The MYC oncogene is notorious in the cancer research world because it is implicated in many advanced or aggressive cancers such as treatment-resistant prostate cancer. In this episode, Sarki Abdulkadir, MD, PhD, shares how his team bucked the conventional notion that the MYC gene is “undruggable” and uncovered a handful of compounds that block MYC gene activity, making prostate cancer tumors sensitive to hormone therapy and opening up a potential new therapeutic target for treatment-resistant prostate cancer.

Dr. Abdulkadir details how his research, recently published in Nature Communications, is a significant step toward understanding and treating treatment-resistant prostate cancer. 
  • Prostate cancer is very common. In fact, some estimates predict that any man who lives long enough — perhaps into his 70s or 80s — will develop prostate cancer, even if only dormant.  
  • Abdulkadir looks at molecular pathways that drive prostate cancer. At the center of his research is the MYC oncogene, a gene that is particularly active in aggressive and drug-resistant cancers, including prostate cancer. 
  • After investigating over 30 million compounds, Abdulkadir, alongside collaborators at Rutgers University, identified a handful of compounds that block MYC gene activity, thus making tumors sensitive to hormone therapy.  
  • After initial compounds were discovered to be toxic, Dr. Abdulkadir identified what is called compound 975, which is not only well-tolerated but can be administered orally.  
  • Abdulkadir emphasizes the necessity of keeping an open mind in biomedical research: even though the MYC gene has historically been considered “undruggable,” he and his team pushed beyond widely held assumptions about the treatability of this gene. 
  • Abdulkadir and his team are presently conducting studies they will present to the FDA to gain permission to administer this drug to humans. Expected to take a year or so, Abdulkadir and his team will then begin phase one trials.
  • For over 20 years, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University's Prostate Cancer SPORE Program, funded by the National Insitute of Health's National Cancer Institute, has fostered collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. This unique program has allowed for the genesis of innovative research like that of Abdulkadir, who is co-principal investigator of the grant.  
  • Abdulkadir says working with students is essential to his research and to the field of biomedical research at large. While some may view young trainees as naive, Abdulkadir views their freshness as necessary in the discovery process.   

​Physicians who listen to this podcast may claim continuing medical education credit after listening to an episode of this program.

Target Audience
Academic/Research, Multiple specialties

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:
  1. Identify the research interests and initiatives of Feinberg faculty.
  2. Discuss new updates in clinical and translational research.

Accreditation Statement
The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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American Board of Surgery Continuous Certification Program
Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

​CME Credit Opportunity Coming Soon
Sarki Abdulkadir, MD, PhD, the John T. Grayhack, MD, Professor of Urological Research and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Urology
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