Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
Targeting enzymes to combat drug resistance in breast cancer treatment
What is the problem and who is affected?
Drug resistance is a serious barrier to the treatment of breast cancer, which can lead to metastasis (the spread of cancer to other parts of the body) and recurrence (when cancer comes back after treatment).
What is this research hoping to achieve?
Associate Professor Vyacheslav Filichev’s team has discovered that the suppression of two enzymes known to mutate DNA – APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B – can stop the ability of cancerous cells adapting to anti-cancer drugs like chemotherapy and immunotherapy, meaning treatments will work for much longer. His team are aiming to develop blockers for these enzymes, which could be used in a new type of drug given before cancer treatment starts.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is funding this project in partnership with the Health Research Council of New Zealand and Breast Cancer Cure.
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DecemberResearch Grant
Therapeutic breast cancer vaccine
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SeptemberResearch Grant
Earlier diagnosis for hereditary breast cancer
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JanuaryResearch Grant
Developing a personalised preventive treatment to lower the risk of hereditary breast cancer
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JanuaryResearch Grant
Targeting enzymes to combat drug resistance in breast cancer treatment
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JanuaryResearch Grant
Improving fat retention after breast reconstruction