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J Med Oncl Ther 2017 Volume 2 | Issue 3
International Conference on
Oncology and Cancer Therapeutics
October 30- November 01, 2017 | Chicago, USA
Developing an advanced formulation of curcumin for targeted therapy of triple negative breast cancer
Pegah Varamini
University of Sydney, Australia
B
reast cancer is the most common malignancy and the
second leading cause of cancer-related death among
Australianwomendespiteexistingprogressinthedevelopment
of novel therapeutic strategies. Triple-negative breast cancer
(TNBC) accounting for 10-17% of all breast carcinomas, is an
aggressive histological subtype. It represents an important
clinical challenge because these cancers do not respond to the
available targeted agents. Thus, there is an urgent demand
for specific therapies that target other receptors that are
overexpressed in TNBCs. We have designed and synthesized
a novel drug delivery system, which targets curcumin to the
breast cancer cells through a ligand of luteinizing hormone-
releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors. LHRH receptors are
overexpressed in breast cancer cells including MBC and TNBC
cells while they are not expressed detectably in most visceral
organs. We have taken advantage of this differential receptor
expression by attaching a new derivative of the LHRH peptide
(as a targeting moiety) to the outer surface of novel polymer
nanoparticles. These nanoparticles encapsulate curcumin,
a non-toxic plant extract that has recently attracted much
attention in medicine due to its remarkable therapeutical
actions. It is called the next generation multi-purpose drug
and is the active constituent of the Indian spice turmeric.
However, it suffers from a very poor metabolic stability and
bioavailabilty due to low water solubility. We have used an
advanced formulation strategy to overcome hurdles to make
it effectively used as a medication and also target it specifically
to the TNBC cells via LHRH receptors.
Speaker Biography
Pegah Varamini is an early career Researcher, Lecturer and Group Leader in Cancer
Theme within the Faculty of Pharmacy. She is the Leader of Breast Cancer Targeting-
Drug Delivery Group. She was awarded the prestigious National Breast Cancer
Foundation (NBCF) fellowship in Jan 2016. She completed her Doctorate degree
in Pharmacy (PharmD) in May 2005 and was awarded her PhD degree in Medicinal
Chemistry and Pharmacology in December 2012 (UQ, Australia). She has won 2012
Dean’s Award for Research Higher Degree Excellence. Her work was selected by the
Australian Academy of Science in August 2016, resulting in her personal presentation
at the inaugural Falling Walls Lab in Canberra (a gathering of 25 selected Australian and
New Zealand researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers and innovators).
e:
pegah.varamini@sydney.edu.au