Presenting Author
University of Bern, Switzerland
I am a Ph.D. student, currently working in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University's Children Hospital, Bern Switzerland. My doctoral program is funded by Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship and Swiss National Science Foundation.
My research topic involves "Identification and Targeting of Novel Mechanisms for the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)". High levels of circulating Androgens are linked to CRPC and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). An enzyme, Cytochrome P450 c17 (CYP17A1) plays an important role in the production of Androgen and its precursors through its 17,20 Lyase activity in the human steroidogenic pathway. Prostate cancer (PCa) is driven in parts by its responsiveness to androgens, CYP17A1 is a major target for most of the inhibitors used in the treatment of PCa. Currently, FDA approved drug, Abiraterone inhibits CYP17A1 activity, but it has few off-targets like drug-metabolizing CYPs as well as CYP21A2 which results in low cortisol levels in the body. Therefore, it is important to look for small non-steroid-like molecules that can specifically inhibit CYP17A1 Lyase activity with reduced side effects.