Synthetic lethal targeting of lobular breast cancer

The inactivation of tumour suppressor genes is the most common of all genetic events in cancer but not one that can be targeted by conventional therapy, because the tumour suppressor protein is lost from the cancer cell. However, the loss of these genes is predicted to create vulnerabilities in the cancer cell that can nevertheless be targeted with drugs. We have compelling data showing that the loss the tumour suppressor gene CDH1, an event that is a hallmark the lobular subtype of breast cancer, creates vulnerabilities which can be targeted with drugs. In this project, we will develop new breast cancer treatments which exploit these vulnerabilities.

FIRST NAMED INVESTIGATOR: Professor Parry Guilford
HOST INVESTIGATOR: University of Otago