A Novel Prodrug Approach for the Discovery of STAT-Targeting Anticancer Therapeutics

Although great strides have been made in treating breast cancer, this disease still causes the death of around 11,500 women and 85 men annually in the UK. These statistics emphasise the need for more effective breast cancer treatments.

To address this need, we have focused our attention on a protein called STAT3, which makes breast cancer thrive. This protein is associated with the most aggressive type of breast cancer that leads to almost 40% of all breast cancer deaths.

In this project, we aim to develop drugs that prevent the role of this protein in making breast cancer thrive. Our way of achieving this builds on a discovery we made about a new approach of targeting STAT3 in a more effective way than what has been done before. Equipped with this new approach and coupled with our expertise in developing new drugs, the work carried out in this project will move us forward towards developing more effective treatments for the most aggressive type of breast cancer.

Ultimately, the goal is to equip clinicians with new treatment options to improve breast cancer survival rates.