Executive Summary : | The standard treatment for prostate cancer involves inhibiting androgen receptor AR-signaling, which is controlled by the androgen receptor. However, prostate cancer cells can become resistant to drugs due to overexpression of proteins that metabolize chemotherapeutic drugs or help cells evade apoptosis. This project aims to identify compounds that disrupt AR signaling, either selectively or dual-inhibiting the androgen receptor and AKR1C Serbia or PIM1 isoforms India. Adjuvant therapy targeting these proteins may improve cancer treatment efficacy. Additionally, AR-signaling drugs could be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment, as AR regulates the serine protease TMNPRSS2 that facilitates viral entry. PIM1 inhibition could reduce viral replication in bronchial epithelial cells following viral infection, potentially repurposing compounds developed during this project to inhibit AR signaling in prostate cancer cells. |