New research funding for the fight against cancer
In the race against time to detect and treat cancer, Professor Hubert Hondermarck is investigating the use of repurposed drugs to combat aggressive forms of breast and brain cancer.
The University of Newcastle and HMRI biochemist has been awarded two Cancer Council NSW grants to develop enhanced therapies that could be translated into clinical practice if proven successful.
In the first project, $448,000 will go towards testing new treatment options for HER2+ breast cancer, which is resistant to current therapies and can result is reduced survival rates. It is defined by the increase of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and often spreads to other parts of the body.
“If we find that repurposing a drug to treat this form of breast cancer is successful, our approach can be transferred into clinical practice because the drug is already known to be safe with minimal side effects,” Professor Hondermarck said.
In the second study, $439,500 has been granted to develop a targeted therapy for Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer with few effective treatments.
Professor Hondermarck and his team will repurpose a drug that is safe and already in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease.
The project responds to an urgent need to develop targeted therapies as nearly all patients experience tumour progression and recurrence. Fewer than five per cent of patients live longer than five years.
“Existing treatments can also induce neurotoxicity, which can lead to nerve cells in the brain dying and debilitating neurological side effects," Professor Hondermarck said.
“This study aims to increase survival and improve quality of life.”
Professor Hondermarck is Stream Leader for Translational Neuroscience at the University's Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research and is a member of *HMRI's Cancer Detection and Therapy program.
*HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.
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