Developing novel therapeutic strategies to better treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Queen’s University Belfast
School of Pharmacy
Dr Niamh Buckley

Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

One in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime and it is a leading cause of death. While significant progress has been made in the treatment of some cancers, there still remain some forms of the disease with limited treatment options and poor outcome.

Our research approach focuses on the integration of in vitro, in vivo, bioinformatics and pathology approaches to identify key pathways underpinning poor outcome and uses detailed knowledge of this biology to identify appropriate targeted treatment options, personalising therapy in areas of unmet clinical need such as Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and ovarian cancer.

While TNBC only accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancer cases, it associated with high rates of relapse and a dipropionate high number of deaths. Using gene expression from patient samples we have identified a number of key genes and pathways that we believe are playing a key role in TNBC. These impact both the cancer cells themselves as well as the tumour microenvironment (immune cell, CAFs etc). We now want to study these in more detail to elucidate their potential role in disease progression and/or response to treatment. These genes may be to as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers as well as targets for the development of novel treatment strategies.

In addition, our research focuses on improving current treatment options using a number of strategies. This includes the development of predictive biomarkers to identify patients most likely to gain clinical benefit as well as harnessing pharmaceutical strategies to maximise clinical benefit and minimise off target toxicity.

Training that will be provided through the research project

Research Skills: the supervisors will ensure excellent training in bioinformatics, in vitro and in vivo techniques providing the student with a broad spectrum of knowledge and expertise. The supervisors will ensure the student is aware of the translational relevance of the project and its potential impact on patient care.

Record keeping & monitoring: Monthly meetings with the student will take place with electronic records. Students must also complete a 3-month initial review and annual progress review to proceed to years 2 & 3. The annual progress review involves written work, presentation and/or mini viva.

Expected impact activities

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK. There is a significant unmet clinical need to understand the biology driving the disease in order to tailor treatment to the individual – maximising outcome and reducing unnecessary side effects.

Funding Notes

This project is not funded; applications are welcome from self-funding candidates.

References

Cancer, biomarkers, targeted treatment, drug development, pharmacogenomics, pharmacology