Prof Helen Hurst

Cancer and research avatar

Cancer Research UK Gene Transcription Laboratory, Institute of Cancer
Barts & The University of London School of Medicine & Dentistry
London

Understanding how genes are switched on and off in breast cancer

Professor Helen Hurst is investigating the faulty genes and proteins involved in breast cancer. Much of her research focuses on the AP-2 family of 'transcription factors' - proteins that play a key role in switching genes on and off. This work will hopefully help scientists to understand more about how breast cancer develops and how it can become resistant to treatment.

Breast cancer oncogenes

Professor Hurst and her team are studying an oncogene called ERBB2, which is involved in the development of about a quarter of breast cancers. They found that one reason ERBB2 can become overactive is because of instructions it receives from the AP-2 proteins.

The team are now investigating whether the AP-2 proteins affect the activity of other oncogenes and how these proteins are controlled in cancer cells.

Resistance to treatment

Professor Hurst's research also focuses on how breast cancers become resistant to drugs. Her team have found that cancer cells containing higher than normal levels of AP-2 proteins tend to be resistant to tamoxifen, which is commonly used in breast cancer treatment.

They have shown that blocking the action of AP-2 proteins promotes cancer cell death and are exploring whether this approach can overcome resistance to hormonal treatments such as tamoxifen. Professor Hurst is also looking for changes in other genes that may affect resistance to tamoxifen and other drugs.

This work has the potential to greatly improve the effectiveness of breast cancer treatments in the future.

Listen to an interview with Professor Hurst, talking about her research:

Browse related content

 

If you want to help support more research like this, please visit our Donate Now page.