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New funding for research into breast cancer and stem cells - National Breast Cancer Foundation

Abstract

Research into the role of stem cells in breast cancer is just one exciting area to benefit from newly created Concept Awards from the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), which were announced today at the NBCF National Research Update.

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Media release: Embargoed 06:00am, 9 September 2005The breast stem cell project led by Dr Jane Visvader and Associate Professor Geoff Lindeman from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Victoria hopes to offer insight into why breast tumours can re-grow several years after apparently successful treatment.“Although clinical trials have led to better treatment strategies for breast cancer patients, often cells within breast tumours are unresponsive to chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy, leading to re-growth of the tumour years later,� Associate Professor Lindeman said “We believe that some of these rogue cells are likely to correspond to ‘cancer stem cells’ – sometimes leading to tumour re-growth.�Breast stem cells or ‘daughter’ cells derived from stem cells may even be the first target to be hijacked as cancers develop, eventually leading to a number of different types of breast tumours. “We aim to identify these cell types and ultimately these findings could be applied to help develop new tools for prognosis and to design new therapies.“Without the funding from the NBCF we may not have been able to proceed with this research.� The NBCF Research Advisory Committee made their selections based on the relevance of the proposed project to breast cancer; how innovative it was; and the potential to open up new areas of investigation.NBCF General Manager Sue Murray said the Concept Awards were the first of this kind in Australia and were a direct response to actions outlined in the plan for a coordinated approach to breast cancer research, “Challenging breast cancer: A National Action Plan for breast cancer research and funding�. If successful, findings from these projects will advance knowledge into all aspects of breast cancer and play a dual role in supporting original Australian research and moving the community closer to a cure for breast cancer.“The NBCF is thrilled about the creation of these awards, which have the potential to open up investigations into new areas of breast cancer research that might not otherwise have been funded,� Ms Murray said.“The standard of entries in this, our first year, was exceptional and the selection committee had to make some hard decisions to select the successful five.�The selected research projects fell in line with the priorities and direction of the National Action Plan for Breast Cancer Research and Funding.The other researchers selected to receive grants were:- Associate Professor Christine Clarke, Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, to investigate changes that occur to the structure of the nucleus in cancer cells, leading to the cell multiplying- Associate Professor Alejandro Lopez, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, to attempt to grow breast stem cells to help direct research into immunology based treatments for breast cancer- Associate Professor Sandra Jones, University of Wollongong, to explore novel intervention techniques to increase the number of women continuing with breast cancer screening programs- Associate Professor Martha Hickey, University of Western Australia, to develop an information tool about menopause specifically targeted for young women with breast cancer to improve treatment decision making.Issued on behalf of the National Breast Cancer Foundation by Hill & KnowltonFor further information and interview opportunities please contact:Stuart Baker 02 9286 1251 or 0403 505 122 or Georgina Michael 02 9299 4090 or 0421 040 721

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