Welcome to the Wisconsin Prostate Cancer SPORE
University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, under the direction of Drs. David Jarrard and Douglas McNeel, has been designated as a Specialized Program of Research Excellence, or SPORE, by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for research initiatives to advance new prostate cancer treatments as of June 2023.
The Wisconsin Prostate SPORE focuses on Prostate Cancer translational research, which means that the goals of each SPORE research project must link laboratory research (“bench”) to the clinic setting (“bedside”) and ultimately aim to improve overall outcomes for patients with Prostate Cancer. The Wisconsin Prostate SPORE comprises three main translational research projects, three supporting cores, a Developmental Research Program (DRP), and a Career Enhancement Program (CEP).
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The UW Prostate Cancer SPORE has three primary research projects:
Project 1 – Tumor Microenvironment
Project 2 – Targeted Immunotherapy
Project 3 – Selective Treatment of Resistant Lesions
CORE RESOURCES
The SPORE also supports research with three expertise-specific Cores:
PILOT AWARD PROGRAMS
The Career Enhancement Program (CEP) and Developmental Research Program (DRP) fund innovative prostate cancer pilot research projects:
Announcements
2025 Prostate SPORE Pilot Program Applications
The UW Prostate Cancer SPORE grant includes two unique programs for investigators seeking to advance translational research on prostate cancer. (See box above right for program descriptions and previous awardees.)
- Career Enhancement Program (CEP)
- Developmental Research Program (DRP)
The application deadline for this year's CEP and DRP awards has now closed. Applications are under review, and candidates will be notified of award decisions in May 2025.
For questions, contact uwprostatespore@medicine.wisc.edu.
Publications & Awards
- Dr. George Zhao, Co-Director of the Biostatistics and Informatics Core, published a study in Annals of Oncology about the clinical use of Post-Operative Radiation Therapy Outcomes Score (PORTOS) as a predictor of radiation dose escalation response for prostate cancer. [Feb 2025]
- Dr. Marina Sharifi, a 2024 Prostate SPORE Career Enhancement Program Awardee, co-authored a paper in Molecular Oncology (with Dr. George Zhao and Dr. Josh Lang): “Adverse prognosis gene expression patterns in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.” [Feb 2025]
In the News
[January 2025]
Dr. Steve Cho treats advanced metastatic prostate cancer with theranostics, featured in Advances
SPORE Research Core Co-Director Steve Cho, MD, treats prostate cancer patients with two approved theranostic drugs and is researching how to calculate precision doses of those tailored to each patients’ needs. Learn more about Dr. Cho’s exciting work in the January 2025 issue of the Carbone Cancer Center’s external newsletter.
[November 2024]
SPORE investigators profiled on Fox47 News in campaign highlighting prostate cancer research at Carbone Cancer Center
Prostate cancer affects men all over the world, and cutting-edge research and clinical trials are happening right here in Madison. As part of Fox47’s effort to raise awareness and money to battle the disease during the month of “No Shave November,” the local news station is featuring interviews with SPORE researchers about challenges, successes, and innovations in their work on prostate cancer at UW-Madison.
Interview with Dr. Jarrard (11/6/24)
Interview with Dr. Lang (11/13/24)
Interview about Lang Lab Clinical Trial (11/20/24)
Interview with Dr. McNeel (11/27/24)
[June 2023]
UW Carbone Cancer Center receives SPORE designation, federal grant to support prostate cancer research
University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center will be designated as a Specialized Program of Research Excellence, or SPORE, by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for research initiatives to advance new prostate cancer treatments.
This highly competitive designation comes with more than $11 million in federal funding to support new and existing research efforts, according to Dr. David Jarrard, surgical oncologist and deputy director at UW Carbone, and professor of urology at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Contact us:
UW Carbone Cancer Center
600 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53792