We are committed to research that is translational in nature, which means that discoveries made in the lab are converted as quickly as possible into therapies that help people suffering from breast cancer.
See a snapshot of the projects we are funding thanks to the support of our donors and fundraisers below.
Breast Cancer Research
Identifying a list of new and existing drugs which show promise in changing an offending hormone receptor in breast cancer from cancer-promoting to cancer-inhibiting.
Researcher
Associate Professor Theresa Hickey and her collaborators are progressing this exciting list of drugs to clinical trials!
Progressing research into a protein called Creld2 which causes breast cancer to develop and grow more quickly, with work now turning to finding agents to destroy or block this protein and offer alternative pathways to treat aggressive breast cancer.
Researcher
Dr Marina Kochetkova hopes the clues found in Creld2 can prevent breast cancer related deaths and serve as a new biomarker to monitor patient responsiveness and relapse.
Investigating breast cancer cells which become resistant to chemotherapy, focusing on a little-known protein called Basconuclin-2 which may hold clues to help treat cancer cells which are prone to relapse or capable of re-seeding other types of tumour cells.
Researcher
Dr Cameron Bracken’s research aims to bring hope to all women fighting hard-to-treat and recurring breast cancers.
Investigating ways to slow, stop or reverse the effects of a newly-found compression force experienced by rapidly growing cancer cells, to help stop breast cancer metastasis (spread).
Researcher
Dr Sarah Boyle is looking at the physical stresses experienced by breast cancer using a unique three-dimensional system.
Improving the diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer by investigating whether a previously unstudied protein can diagnose this aggressive and deadly form of the disease sooner and also provide a better treatment option.
Researcher
Associate Professor Phil Gregory hopes his research will provide earlier diagnosis of triple negative breast cancers most likely to become aggressive.
Helping women get the best of their breast cancer treatment and avoid harmful drug interactions if they are also taking other medications, particularly in regards to blood pressure and cholesterol lowering drugs.
Researcher
With 60% of cancer patients using blood pressure or cholesterol lowering drugs, Dr Ashley Hopkins hopes his insights will provide more information about the harm or benefits these medications may have while undergoing cancer treatment.
Improving breast cancer screening outcomes for women with dense breasts through increased education about high breast density.
Researcher
Associate Professor Wendy Ingman has created a video to help educate women that finding cancer in a dense breast can be like trying to find a polar bear in a snow storm.
Exploring a number of different inhibitors which show promise in blocking a protein called Aquaporin 1, which has been proven to play a key role in helping breast cancer cells moving to other parts of the body.
Researchers
Dr Amanda Townsend (right) hopes this work will lead to a new treatment that will be far less toxic then current chemotherapy treatments and have far fewer side effects.
Outside of the lab, you may be surprised to hear researchers are working hard to improve breast cancer outcomes using maths and data!
Professor David Roder is analysing breast cancer trends to ensure women diagnosed with breast cancer have access to appropriate health services.
