Describe your research
Mitosis is a target of many current cancer chemotherapies, such as taxanes; however, anti-mitotic therapies often see cells undergo “slippage”, causing tetraploidy and genomic instability. Reducing the ability of cells to slip through mitosis may enhance the effect of these anti-mitotic therapies. My research focuses on the tumour suppressor Programmed Cell Death Protein 4 (PDCD4) that acts by binding and inhibiting the activity of the translation initiation factor eIF4. Our group has observed that PDCD4 is downregulated during mitosis and plays an important role in regulating mitotic survival and slippage and we believe that this PDCD4 downregulation suggests that cells require elevated eIF4A activity for mitotic progression. The main objective of my research is to study of the mechanisms by which the PDCD4/eIF4A axis controls mitotic survival and if this axis can be exploited to increase the efficacy of anti-mitotic chemotherapies, such as taxanes, using eIF4A inhibitors.
How does your research contribute to the fight against cancer?
We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, with breast cancer being one of the most common types in women. Analysis of gene expression data from breast cancer patients by our group showed that PDCD4 levels are significantly lower in breast cancer patients across most molecular subtypes, but especially so in triple negative breast cancers subtypes, who have the least treatment options. This research project works towards improving the efficacy of a certain class of chemotherapies (taxanes) commonly used to treat these breast cancer patients.
This research is working toward specifically investigating if eIF4A inhibitors could be used in tandem with taxanes, to influence the PDCD4/eIF4A axis and its controls of mitotic survival and progression, to treat these cancer patients more effectively.
How has the studentship made a difference in your life? What does it mean to you to be a recipient of this studentship?
I am elated to have received the CURE foundation Studentship award! This studentship contributes to my graduate student stipend, which is what allows me to continue my research project, and to strengthen my skills and confidence as a young researcher. This award has helped focus my efforts on my research by easing the financial burden and allowing for a work life balance. This generous award has not only been an encouragement to continuing my graduate studies, but also a motivation to get involved in science communication to the public through various groups to help advance cancer research. It’s an honour to have received this award and I look forward to continuing my graduate studies and working towards achieving a cancer-free world.
How could your research potentially help future patients?
This research project focuses on triple negative breast cancer, as these patients have the least treatment options, and hopefully one day this research will have a positive impact on these patients. Triple negative breast cancer is particularly difficult to treat, and currently taxanes are used as a frontline therapy. Our findings suggest that combined treatment of taxanes and eIF4A inhibitors can increase the anti-mitotic effects of taxanes in this breast-cancer subtype. Eventually this research could lead to testing the efficacy of this combination in preclinical mouse models, and if these results are promising, this will hopefully lead to testing in humans and one day making more effective treatment for triple negative breast cancer patients possible.