Molecular Profiling for Personalised Medicine
There are several different types of breast cancer (based on the genes the tumour cells express) and patients are treated according to their group, e.g. using chemotherapy or hormone therapy. It is crucial that for the best outcomes and reduced side effects, patients are given the right therapy for their disease. We study small biomarkers molecules called microRNAs that are found in blood and act to influence how our genes and cells work. Some microRNAs are known to be altered in breast cancer and we want to be able to detect these microRNAs so that we can monitor the molecules as patients undergo therapy or their disease progresses. Some patients undergo chemotherapy before surgery, and this is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. As part of our research with Precision Oncology Ireland, we are examining how the chemotherapy affects the expression of these microRNAs. Ultimately, if we can identify a blood-borne biomarker (or a panel of markers) that can be used for breast cancer diagnosis, grouping or monitoring disease progression/remission, it will ensure patients will get targeted, individualised therapies and be spared side effects or unnecessary interventions.
Latest Research: Emerging Evidence of the Functional Impact of the miR379/miR656 Cluster (C14MC) in Breast Cancer (2021)
MicroRNAs in Molecular Classification and Pathogenesis of Breast Tumors (2021)