St Vincent's Institute

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Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 in breast cancer growth and progression

Project Type

PhD

Summary

Supervisors: Dr Manisha Shah, Dr Mark Waltham, Prof Erik Thompson (Honours or PhD)

Our studies to date suggest that MMP13 has significant potential as a therapeutic target in breast cancer. Studies on highly specific MMP13 inhibitors suggest MMP13 is not involved in the musculoskeletal syndrome side effects that hampered previous MMP inhibitor trials. Preliminary data with MMP13-selective inhibitors and MMP13-null mice confirm a role for MMP13 in breast cancer growth and bone metastasis. We also found that MMP13 may be involved in breast cancer lymph/angiogenesis and identified new MMP13 substrates that may find utility as MMP13 activity biomarkers and/or underpin the roles of MMP13 in lymph/angiogenesis and bone metastasis. We will (1) perform preclinical studies of MMP13 inhibition combined with hormone therapy, chemotherapy and bisphosphonate treatment for breast cancer (2) elucidate the role(s) of MMP13 in breast cancer angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis, and (3) develop novel biomarkers for monitoring MMP13 inhibition in clinical trials. The work is collaborative with clinical colleagues.