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Cancer Drug Discovery
Laboratory Head
Colin Clyne PhD
> Profile
About this Laboratory
This laboratory investigates the mechanisms regulating proliferation of breast cancer cells, with particular emphasis on the role of hormones and their effects on gene expression.
Related to Research Themes
Current Research
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Nuclear receptor pharmacology - Oestrogen receptor blockers are very successful breast cancer treatments; however, not all patients respond to these drugs and many that do eventually become resistant to their effects. We are identifying alternative molecules related to the oestrogen receptor that could be exploited as novel breast cancer therapeutics.
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Breast-specific anti-oestrogens - This research aims to inhibit oestrogen production specifically in breast tissue, in order to reduce the side-effects associated with current anti-oestrogen treatments for breast cancer.
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Oestrogen regulation in breast cancer - Local oestrogen production within the breast is critically important for breast cancer progression. While the genetic factors that contribute to oestrogen production are fairly well understood, epigenetic factors are much less well studied.
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Aromatase and post-transcriptional regulation - Our laboratory has identified the transcription factors LRH-1/NR5A1 and SF-1/NR5A2 as critical regulators of aromatase expression and these provide new avenues for the development of cancer therapies. This project is focussed on the characterisation of the post-transcriptional regulation of LRH-1 and SF-1 and its significance for aromatase expression.