Characterising The Tumour Suppressive Function Of Myoepithelial Cell Stefin A In Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,840.00
Summary
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a pre-invasive stage of breast cancer, whereby the tumour cells remain restrained by myoepithelial cells that surround breast ducts. Predicting which cases of DCIS will later develop invasive cancer is difficult, meaning that the majority of patients have treatment. Stefin A is a protease inhibitor in myoepithelial cells shown to block cancer invasion and we aim to test the function of this protein in DCIS and its potential as a prognostic marker.
The Role Of Natural Protein Inhibitors In Blocking Breast Cancer Invasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,139.00
Summary
The mechanisms required for breast cancer cells to spread outside of the ducts and into the surrounding breast tissue are largely unknown. There is increasing evidence that the cell layer surrounding the ducts (myoepithelium) functions to suppress invasion. We aim to test if a protein inhibitor that is expressed in these cells can preventing breast cancer invasion in models of early breast cancer and if its expression can predict those patients that are unlikely to develop invasive cancers.