Triple negative breast cancer (TBNC) accounts for approximately 20 per cent of breast cancer subtypes. It is characterised by the absence of three receptors:
Women with TNBC have lower survival rates with an increased rate of recurrence. We have shown that stress hormones (noradrenaline [NA]) at physiological concentrations, through activation of beta adrenergic receptor ADRB2, decrease the efficacy of chemotherapy by interfering with the cell cycle.
It is known that prolonged stress hormone binding leads to receptor de-sensitisation, however, gene variants in ADRB2 reduce receptor desensitization leading to potential increased ADRB2 activation.
We propose that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the genes that encode ADRB2 could result in a decreased therapeutic response which may translate to shorter recurrence-free survival.
Team Verrico have provided funding for this study.
This project commenced in November 2017. New funding has extended the project for the period June 2018 to June 2019.
The aims of this research project are to:
This project is ongoing; output, findings and impact will be updated in due course.
Research team
Dr Melanie FlintDr Caroline GarrettDr Greg Scutt
Output
Output will be updated in due course.
Partners
Dr Val Shilling, SHORE-CDr Gargi Patel, BSUHDr Stephen Bremner, Brighton and Sussex Clinical Trials Unit