Targeting the Trop-2 glycoprotein for localised prodrug activation in breast cancer
Problem
Sacituzumab Govitecan is a new drug approved to treat a type of breast cancer called triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but over half of the patients using it experience serious side effects.
Project
A team at the University of Otago is working on a new way to make this treatment safer. They’re modifying Sacituzumab and a cancer drug, so that in combination, TNBC will be more selectively targeted. This approach could target cancer cells directly and reduce side effects.
Outcome
If successful, this research could make TNBC treatment with Sacituzumab safer and help patients avoid harsh side effects, while still fighting the cancer effectively.
Future
This work is building New Zealand’s expertise in using targeted “prodrugs” for cancer treatment, paving the way for safer, more effective treatments in the future.
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