“ A common misconception about breast cancer research is that everything has been done ”

Dr Laura Barkley of NUI Galway explains how she is advancing breast cancer research to provide more effective treatment to more patients.

Dr Laura Barkley of NUI Galway is the Principal Investigator in an Irish Research Council-funded collaboration to develop new therapies for the treatment of breast cancer. This industry-academic collaboration between Barkley and Orbsen Therapeutics published a study last month in the International Journal of Cancer.

Research is focused on tumor stromal cells. An important component of solid tumors, stromal cells prevent the patient’s immune system from recognizing and killing cancer cells, and they also limit the effectiveness of many current cancer treatments, including immunotherapies. However, research from Barkley’s team indicates that the development of drugs that specifically target tumor stromal cells may make currently available drugs more effective.

As the team works on early clinical trials, Barkley explains this research and the treatment avenues it opens up for cancer patients.

“Research is important because we are continually trying to answer questions and find new and better ways to treat human diseases.”
^{– DR LAURA BARKLEY}

What prompted you to become a researcher?

My A-level biology teacher, Ms. Bradley, inspired me to become a researcher. I remember her giving the class an assignment that encouraged us to make our own hypothesis and design experiments to test that hypothesis. I compared the sterility of still and sparkling bottled water. I got a real buzz and loved planning, executing my experiments and interpreting my results.

What research are you currently working on?

I have a strong interest and experience in drug development and cancer biology. I initially did a BSc in Pharmacology in Manchester and a PhD in Cancer Biology at University College London, before taking a FAMRI scholarship at Boston University. I have gained valuable experience working with large pharmaceutical companies including Glaxo and Zeneca.

During my career, while working in the UK, US and Ireland, I have actively sought opportunities that have allowed me to study the interplay between the cell cycle and other fundamental processes. such as cell death, DNA damage checkpoints, DNA repair and differentiation. These opportunities allowed me to fully understand how tumorigenesis [the process of tumour development] is impacted by multiple integrated pathways.

My current research focuses on examining the role of tumor stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated stroma has received increasing attention for its role in initiating and maintaining tumor growth.

Tumor stromal cells secrete immunosuppressive factors that protect the tumor from attack by the immune system. I set up a multidisciplinary and collaborative research program focused on examining the role of tumor-associated stromal cells and stromal cell-derived factors within MTCT on tumorigenesis and drug resistance.

Using patient material and clinically relevant cancer models, these studies will help unravel the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and design preventive and therapeutic measures that will positively impact the care of cancer patients.

In our recent publication, we find that tumor stromal cells express a protein called syndecan-2 on their cell surface. We have designed a new drug to target this protein and show that this drug can block tumor growth and metastasis. One mechanism by which this drug inhibits tumorigenesis is by reducing the immunosuppressive niche caused by tumor stromal cells and allowing immune cells to attack the tumor.

Why do you think your research is important?

Research is important because we are continually trying to answer questions and find new and better ways to treat human diseases. Take the example of breast cancer. In 1976, less than 50% of women survived breast cancer for five years, while today 85% of patients survive that period. This increased survival can be attributed to research that has enabled early detection, personalized medicine (such as tamoxifen and Herceptin), and knowledge of the causes and risk factors for breast cancer.

What commercial applications do you see for your research?

Firstly, the development of new therapies based on tumor stromal cells (such as syndecan-2-biotherapeutics) as monotherapies in the treatment of cancer has important commercial applications.

Additionally, we suggest that tumor stromal cell-based therapies will uncover the efficacy of current immunotherapies in breast cancer, thereby opening up the multi-million dollar immunotherapeutic industry to otherwise unresponsive solid tumors.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a researcher?

The field of cancer biology is an exciting and constantly evolving field of research. This attracts many top researchers in this field, which makes it very competitive. Therefore, one of the main challenges would be obtaining funds to carry out your research. However, the introduction of grants from European and national multidisciplinary consortia has helped cancer researchers to get involved in innovative projects that can have a real impact on patients.

Are there any misconceptions about cancer biology research?

As mentioned above, there has been a significant improvement in the five-year survival of breast cancer patients over the years. Therefore, a common misconception about breast cancer research is that everything has been done. However, this does not take into account patients with triple negative, advanced metastatic or chemo-resistant breast cancer. There are limited treatment options for these types of breast cancer, so more research is needed.

Tumor stromal cells have been shown to limit the effectiveness of anticancer therapies, contribute to metastasis and drug resistance. Therefore, finding a regimen to target tumor stromal cells is a key goal of breast cancer medicine.

Another way to address these misconceptions is through dialogue, especially from an early age. That’s why I like to organize and participate in outreach programs at local elementary schools and charity events to discuss my research.

What research would you like to see covered in the future?

Tumor stromal cells are not unique to breast tumors. Therefore, I believe our research would be relevant and could be extended to other stromal tumors such as the pancreas, lungs and esophagus.

Want stories like this and more straight to your inbox? Register for Technological trends, Silicon Republic’s weekly digest of essential technology news.

Are you a researcher with an interesting project to share? Let us know by email [email protected] with the subject line “Science Uncovered”.