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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From Evidence to Action: Expanding the ‘Not a One-Size-Fits-All’ Breast Cancer Screening Model for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Problem:Breast cancer screening in Aotearoa New Zealand does not benefit all women equally. Many cancers are still found outside the national screening programme, and Māori and Pacific women can fa...
Using Deep Learning And Digital Pathology To Intrinsically Subtype Breast Cancer
Problem:Traditional pathology uses microscopes to examine tissue slides, but this method can be slow and inconsistent, and not all patients can afford advanced molecular testing. Project:Digital pa...
“Shielding” Macrophages: Uncovering Immune-Mediated Chemoresistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
ProblemTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the hardest types to treat and affects Māori and Pacific women more than others. Many patients with TNBC don’t fully respond to chemotherapy, a...
