Breast cancer research wins prize

Claudio Raimondi receiving the award from Breast Cancer Campaign

Claudio Raimondi from the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science beat strong competition, was subjected to a peer review and wowed the judges in his five-minute presentation to claim the award in recognition of his research in cancer therapy.

Claudio’s project demonstrated how a molecule which is an Ins(1,3,4,5)P5 synthetic derivative could potentially be used in combination with other breast cancer treatments to slow growth or prevent tumours spreading through a process called metastasis.

Metastases are the main cause of death in cancer patients and there are currently no effective treatments which exist for metastatic breast cancer. Ninety per cent of patients die because of distant metastasis development and not because of the primary tumour.

Claudio said: “It is an exciting area of research and could have significant impact for people with metastatic breast cancer.

“We discovered that the enzyme called phospholipase C gamma1 is critical for metastasis development and progression, indicating that the blockage of this enzyme may be a useful strategy to impair this process and highlighting the pharmacological potential of this enzyme.

“We have now identified a novel compound that is able to block the activity of phospholipase C gamma 1 and we are now in the process of testing its potential anti-metastatic properties. Further work has to be accomplished in order to collect all the experimental data needed to allow the transition of this lead compound to clinical trials.”

The judging panel were impressed with the quality of Claudio’s research and the simple yet highly effective way he presented his results in his poster.

The third Breast Cancer Campaign research conference was held at the Royal Society, London on the 18 May 2010.  

Notes:

The Emerging Investigators Poster Prize supports the Breast Cancer Campaign’s aims to build the talent pool in breast cancer research and to engage in scientific and public dialogue.

Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

Currently it supports 113 research projects, worth over £17million, in 40 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland. For more information visit www.breastcancercampaign.org