Breast Cancer

The impact of our research

Could existing drugs treat aggressive breast cancer? Which genes influence your risk of developing breast cancer? And how do cancers develop from normal precursor cells?

These are just some of the questions that our pioneering breast cancer research program is tackling. We’re using genetic profiling, developing new treatments like immunotherapies, and using AI to understand how tumours interact with their surroundings. Through multiple research programs, we’re aiming to better understand why some people have a genetic risk to cancer, so we can develop better screening and treatment options. Our recent work includes:

Developing a new way to study breast cancer stem cells, in partnership with Griffith University.

Identifying two new genes that influence the risk of breast cancer. The genes, known as CUPID1 and CUPID2, affect how cells respond to DNA damage, which causes cancer in some individuals and not others. This could ultimately provide a new target for treating the most common type of breast cancer.

Investigating whether drugs on the market for other diseases could be used to prevent and treat aggressive breast cancers.

Studying how cancer forms from healthy cells at a molecular level, and why some breast cancers become resistant to previously effective drugs.

About breast cancer

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer originates in the breast tissues. It occurs when abnormal cells within the breast start to multiply uncontrollably.

Who’s most at risk of breast cancer?

Breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women, but can also affect men. Around one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

While most cases occur in women over 50, breast cancer can affect individuals of all ages.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

It’s important that breast cancer is detected early. Here are some common symptoms and signs to look out for:

a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
changes in breast size or shape
dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
nipple discharge or inversion
redness or scaling of the breast skin.

How is breast cancer treated?

Treatment for breast cancer varies, depending on the stage of cancer, overall health, and personal preferences. The most common treatment options include:

surgery to remove the tumour and nearby lymph nodes
radiation therapy, using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells
chemotherapy, which aims to kill cancer cells throughout the body
hormonal therapy, which blocks hormones that may stimulate cancer growth
targeted therapy, using drugs that specifically target cancer cells.

Facts about breast cancer

1 in 8

Australian women will be affected by breast cancer.

Australian women were diagnosed with breast cancer every day in 2022, making it the most common cancer in women.

New genes identified, which affect the risk of breast cancer developing from DNA damage.

Our breast cancer research

Cancer Genetics

This lab, led by Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench, focuses on why some people get breast cancer, and how these cancers develop from a normal cell.

"Through a technique called genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we have identified over 250 specific locations in our genes that are associated with the risk of developing breast cancer. However, at each of these locations there may be multiple genes involved, and the closest gene may not always be the key player. To tackle this issue, we have developed a method to predict the most likely target genes at these identified spots. But thoroughly investigating each risk location and determining the precise target gene(s) responsible for the increased risk of breast cancer is an enormous challenge."

Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench

Functional Cancer Genomics

This lab, led by Associate Professor Stacey Edwards, focuses on understanding how DNA variation contributes to cancer risk and development. The laboratory is particularly interested in translating the findings from cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

“By integrating genetics, chromatin and transcriptome profiling, computational genomics and molecular studies, we aim to unravel the complexity of cancer development. These discoveries are accelerating progress from genetic studies to biological knowledge that may ultimately guide preventative and therapeutic measures.”

Professor Stacey Edwards

Functional Genetics

This lab, led by Professor Juliet French, delves into the role of genetic variations in noncoding regions of our DNA in relation to cancer risk and progression. In the past, scientists primarily focused on examining genetic changes in the coding regions, which make up less than 2% of the entire human genome. However, we now know that noncoding regions, which contain functional elements like transcriptional enhancers and long non-coding RNAs, play a crucial role too.

“We’re investigating how inherited genetic variations and cancer-specific mutations can potentially contribute to the development of cancer. Our ultimate goal is to utilise genetics to identify the key genes and pathways involved in cancer development, opening up new opportunities for targeted therapies.”

Professor Juliet French

Molecular Immunology

This lab, led by Associate Professor Michelle Wykes, works on the immunology of malaria, cancer, and autoimmunity. In 2016, the laboratory discovered Programmed cell death1 Ligand 2 (PD-L2) was not a 'brake' on the immune system, but actually an essential activator of immunity. The lab has used this finding to develop multiple immunotherapies and diagnostics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmunity.

"Cancer cells are very good at hiding from the immune system but our 'Masterswitch' antibodies make the cancers visible again, so the dendritic cells can go back to work and 'organise' the T cells to kill the cancer.

Our studies now show that our antibodies can control hard to treat triple negative breast cancer."

Associate Professor Michelle Wykes

Molecular Oncology

Led by Dr Olga Kondrashova, this lab focuses on identifying the most suitable cancer treatment strategies and treatment biomarkers to enable precision oncology.

“We have access to unique samples from multiple Australian-led clinical trials for breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. We are interrogating the cancer samples using the latest genomic technologies to link cancer features with treatment responses. This work is critical for enabling patient-centred medicine.”

Dr Olga Kondrashova

Medical Genomics

The Medical Genomics lab, led by Dr Nic Waddell, uses next-generation genetic sequencing to understand how breast cancers develop and how our immune system responds. Their goal is to shorten the pathway to ‘personalised medicine’ to improve the diagnosis, management and treatment for ovarian cancer patients.

“Using the next-generation sequencing, our research is decoding the unique genomic signatures of individual patients to unlock the key to personalised medicine. This approach holds the potential to revolutionise treatment strategies, offering tailored interventions that address the unique molecular characteristics of each individual's cancer.”

Dr Nic Waddell

Cancer Metabolism

Post menopausal women living with obesity are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. The Cancer Metabolism group, led by Group Leader Nils Halberg, aims to find out why.

The overarching goal of the lab is to develop new methods for early discovery and better spatialized treatment strategies tailored for obese cancer patients.

“In Australia, the number of people being diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing. This is a likely consequence of living standards, modern lifestyles, and an ageing population. My lab focusses on obesity as one consequence of our modern lifestyle. With this question in mind, we use the latest technological advancement in sequencing and high-dimensional spatial analysis to pinpoint and potentially therapeutically target the key interaction points between obesity and cancer.”

Dr Nils Halberg

Molecular Cancer Epidemiology

The Molecular Cancer Epidemiology lab led by Professor Amanda Spurdle studies inherited causes of different cancer types including breast cancer.

"We develop and apply processes to find disease causing variants so that patients and their relatives can be offered the most appropriate clinical management recommendations."