Breast cancer is a major health concern that often goes undetected until it's too late, particularly among Māori and Pacific women in New Zealand. Our new research project aims to change that by using advanced Artificial Intelligence to analyze mammograms more precisely. The focus is on 'breast density,' a factor that can hide cancer from traditional screenings.
Read moreBARD1: a new prognostic marker for triple negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for up to 20% of all breast cancer cases. For nearly half of all TNBC patients, their cancer will spread, frequently to the brain. Notably, for TNBC patients the spread to the brain happens earlier than in other breast cancers, which reduces both quality of life and life expectancy. Sadly, once the cancer has spread to the brain treatment options are limited, have severe side effects, and often only give minor improvements in overall survival.
Read moreA novel type of cancer biomarker: detection of the inactive amyloid protein state of p16
A new class of anti-cancer drugs called CDK-inhibitors has recently entered the international market and PHARMAC funds these drugs for specific breast cancer treatments in Aotearoa New Zealand. These novel compounds are highly efficient and greatly expand our ability to treat this deadly disease. Nevertheless, only about one third of patients respond positively to this drug treatment and unfortunately, there is no predictive measure of which patients will benefit.
Read moreOne piece at a time: Patient-derived explants for precision medicine in Aotearoa NZ
Dr Emma Nolan
Generation of a preclinical model that is more representative of breast cancer in our population, to inform patient stratification and preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutics and improve drug development pipelines.
Computational pathology (CPATH)/Computer Assisted Diagnosis research in breast cancer.
Dr Gavin Harris
To develop computational algorithms that can be applied to pathological samples of breast cancer to provide novel approaches to diagnosis and assessment.
Targeting the Trop-2 glycoprotein for localised prodrug activation in breast cancer
Associate Professor Allan Gamble
In 2021, Sacituzumab Govitecan received accelerated approval by the FDA as a treatment for patients with unresectable metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, over half of all patients receiving this treatment still report significant side effects.
Exploring a preventative treatment through an existing and accessible drug for High-Risk Individuals
Dr George Wiggins
Women at high-risk of breast cancer are in need of new and effective prevention strategies.
Extracellular Vesicles as Inter-Cellular Communicators in Fat Graft Retention
Dr Kirsty Danielson
Breast reconstruction is an important part of the treatment process for women with breast cancer.
Stopping Breast Cancer Evolution: Evaluation of APOBEC3 Inhibitors in Live Cells
Associate Professor Vyacheslav Filichev
Drug resistance is a serious barrier to the treatment of breast cancer, leading to metastasis and cancer reoccurrences.
Exploring a Novel Therapy to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk in High-risk Individuals
Dr Vanessa Lattimore
The ideal strategy for controlling and reducing the social impact of disease is effective prevention.