Grant: Project Grant

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women. The majority of breast tumors at primary diagnosis are positive for the estrogen receptor ERa. These types of breast tumors generally have a better prognosis and respond well to antihormone therapy. While this treatment is beneficial for the majority of patients, some of them still develop locally recurrent or metastatic disease. Breast cancers called "triple negative" (TNBC), which represent nearly 15% of breast cancers, are generally very aggressive, present a risk of higher recurrence and development of metastasis. Since TNBC cannot be treated with conventional breast cancer antihormonal-based or trastuzumab-based treatments, it is of the utmost importance to develop effective new treatments by defining new therapeutic targets in TNBC. In this research project, we are particularly interested in 1) elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which LRH-1 controls TNBC cells progression and metastasis; and (2) confirming the LRH-1 as a potential therapeutic target in TNBC. We will use genomic approaches and molecular and cellular biology techniques that will help to reveal the functions of LRH-1 and to evaluate its potential as therapeutic target. The results obtained from these studies should lead to new insight that will be directly relevant to the understanding, treatment and prevention of breast cancer.