Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
The development of novel nanomedical drug delivery method
September 2013
Research Grant
What is the problem and who is affected?
Triple negative breast cancer affects 15-20% of New Zealand women diagnosed with breast cancer every year. It can be particularly difficult to treat, aggressive and usually affects younger women.
What is this research hoping to achieve?
Dr Rosengren and her team hope to develop a new low-cost nanomedicine using a synthetic derivative of curcumin (natural curcumin is best known as a component of the spice turmeric), a long-suspected anti-cancer agent. The researchers hope to use their newly developed "nanotechnology" delivery mechanism to deliver the drug directly to the tumour, potentially allowing for a safer, more effective and cheaper treatment.