Beltran Lab

The Beltran lab is focused on understanding mechanisms of treatment resistance in advanced prostate cancer through integration of clinical and molecular features of patients combined with preclinical modeling.  We have focused on understanding mechanisms underlying an emerging subclass of androgen-indifferent prostate cancers that develop neuroendocrine features as an adaptive response mechanism upon selective therapeutic pressure of the androgen receptor (AR).  We have used genomics and epigenomics to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving evolution towards an AR-low state.  We are developing tissue and circulating biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies for clinical translation.  Our mission is to make discoveries that improve the way we manage and treat patients with advanced prostate cancer.

In addition, as part of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians, we are developing genomic and other platforms for biomarker development and clinical application across tumor types. 

Videos

PC: Jesse Winter

Read about the Beltran Lab's recent findings in new publications

Research

The Beltran Lab's mission is to characterize the molecular landscape of neuroendocrine prostate cancer and identify new therapeutic targets. 

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ASCO 2017: Whole exome sequencing of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with neuroendocrine prostate cancer informs tumor heterogeneity
Chicago, IL (UroToday.com) The authors of this study previously published a manuscript identifying the divergent clonal evolution of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) to a neuroendocrine prostate cancer histology (NEPC).1
ASCO 2017: Rovalpituzumab tesirine as a therapeutic agent for Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

Chicago, IL (UroToday.com) Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a rare subtype of prostate cancer. NEPC represent a histologic subtype of prostate cancer that demonstrate low to absent AR expression and often have neuroendocrine features, and thus have low PSA production.

Department of Defense Impact Award Funds Prostate Cancer Study