Niall Ashfield’s doctoral research in DCU School of Biotechnology explores targeted treatments for HER2+ breast cancer. Thanks to support from the Orla Benson Memorial Scholarship, he’s collaborating with researchers in Norway to take his research one step closer to patients.
“I was always interested in science – that was what first drew me to the BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology at DCU, and to build on that through a PhD.
It’s incredible to be part of something really impactful in the field of cancer research.
Funded by Research Ireland and Cancer Clinical Research Trust, my research with Dr Dennis Collins (DCU) and Dr Amira Mahdi (UL) is investigating whether combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors with antibody drug conjugates can more effectively treat HER2+ breast cancer. Both treatments target cancer cells without damaging normal cells, making them less harsh for patients, and my research explores how we can use these drugs in combination for a more effective outcome. By combining approved drugs in new ways, we hope we can get improved treatments to market fast.
The HER2+ subtype of breast cancer is more treatment-resistant and more aggressive than other cancers – and that means work in this area needs to keep evolving. The prognosis for this cancer has improved so much since the first targeted treatments, as has patient quality of life during treatment. My research is continuing this story.
We have proven that these treatment combinations work well in cells in the lab, including on 3D cell models that act more like a tumour. Our next step is to examine how they perform in living organisms, which will hopefully pave the way for human trials.
Thanks to the Orla Benson Memorial Scholarship, I have the funding to travel to a lab in the University of Bergen in Norway for the next step in our research. The lab there specialises in mouse studies, a crucial step in getting treatments to patients.
I’ll be examining how HER2+ cancer cells behave in living organisms and will be delivering treatment in different drug combinations to track what is most effective. In Norway, I will have access to advanced imaging platforms that will allow us to see exactly how the cancer spreads, and how the treatment affects metastatic sites as well as the primary tumour.
On a personal level, as well as bringing our research to this exciting final step before human studies, my scholarship will help me develop more connections in my area of research, gain experience in an international lab and learn from experts in innovative imaging methods.
This is learning that I will take with me throughout my career, and that I can share with my colleagues in DCU. It’s research that I hope will have a real impact in the lives of cancer patients.”
