NBCF-funded researcher, A/Prof Philip Gregory
NBCF-funded researcher Associate Professor Philip Gregory shares why he is committed to breast cancer research.
Because of your support NBCF has been able to fund A/Prof Philip Gregory at the start of his career and today he is leading groundbreaking research aimed at stopping breast cancer from spreading. This research has the potential to save countless lives, and it’s only possible because of you.
A/Prof Philip Gregory and his team have discovered that high level of a protein (ZCCHC24) is linked to poor outcomes in people with TNBC. In his NBCF-funded research project, A/Prof Gregory is investigating how this protein drives the spread of TNBC and whether it could be used as a powerful diagnostic and predictive indicator for metastasis. These insights could lead to better ways to stop TNBC from spreading and deliver improved treatment options for people with TNBC.
Q&A with A/Prof Philip Gregory
Do you have a personal connection to breast cancer?
Yes, I have had family members that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, these were detected at early stages and had not yet spread.
What is your greatest achievement in research to date?
When I discovered for the first time that microRNAs could determine whether a cell would be relatively normal or become more invasive and aggressive. I didn’t know how important this finding would be but has turned out to be a big discovery – a 2008 Nature Cell Biology paper cited over 4000 times!
Why is this area of research so important – what impact will it have on people’s lives?
TNBC are a mixed bunch of tumours – some metastasise more readily than others. We believe we have identified a novel protein that can distinguish between tumours that will go on to metastasise compared with those that do not. Once we understand how this protein works, we can use this information to design optimal treatments to prevent tumours from metastasising.
What role has NBCF had in your career?
NBCF initially funded me as an early postdoctoral researcher, which provided me the opportunity to develop my own lab. I am very indebted to NBCF for supporting me at this critical stage of my career.
Do you have a message for those that support and donate to NBCF/breast cancer research?
Thank you so much! Through your generosity you are making it possible for others to live better breast cancer-free lives.
Why it matters: Your support made this possible
Your generosity is the reason breakthroughs happen. Early NBCF funding helped A/Prof Gregory establish his lab; today, your ongoing support is powering research that could stop metastasis in TNBC, one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer. That hope starts with you.
A/Prof Gregory and his team are deeply grateful for your partnership in this life-saving work. Together, we’re transforming generosity into progress and moving closer to a future where no one dies from breast cancer.
Learn more about A/Prof Gregory’s NBCF-funded research
Glossary: Explore the science behind the research
Your generosity powers research at the cutting edge. Here’s a quick guide to some of the terms mentioned in this article.
What is Metastasis?
When cancer cells move away from the original tumour and spread to other parts of the body, such as the organs or bones.
Every breast cancer deaths happen because the disease spreads to other parts of the body. Stopping this process – metastasis – is key to achieving Zero Deaths from breast cancer.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) doesn’t have three common features found in many other breast cancers – estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or the HER2 protein.
Because it lacks these targets, TNBC doesn’t respond to treatments like hormone therapy or HER2-targeted drugs. This can make TNBC harder to treat and more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
What are MicroRNAs?
A very small piece of genetic material – specifically, a short strand of RNA – that helps control how genes work. MicroRNAs act like “switches” or “dimmers,” turning genes on or off or adjusting their activity. Nature Cell Biology Paper
A research study published in Nature Cell Biology – a leading journal. When a paper is ‘cited,’ it means other scientists have referred to the original research in their own studies.
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