Breast cancer treatment: Cutting-edge nanotechnology could revolutionise cancer therapy

Despite accounting for only 10 to 15 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases, TNBC is responsible for 30 percent of breast cancer-related deaths in Australia each year. (Image: Canva)

Scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ) are pioneering a new nanotechnology approach that could revolutionise treatment for the most aggressive form of breast cancer.

Professor Chengzhong (Michael) Yu and his research team are creating innovative nanoparticles designed to significantly improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Despite accounting for only 10 to 15 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases, TNBC is responsible for 30 percent of breast cancer-related deaths in Australia each year. The aggressive nature of TNBC makes it particularly difficult to treat, as it lacks the proteins typically targeted by conventional therapies.

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Enhancing immune response

Professor Yu, from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), emphasised the urgent need for alternative treatment strategies.

"Immunotherapy has shown promise in cancer treatment, but its application for TNBC remains highly restricted," he explained in a statement. "Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have been effective against cancers like melanoma, are largely ineffective against TNBC."

Supported by a $3 million Investigator Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Professor Yu and his team aim to develop a specialised nanoparticle designed to strengthen TNBC patients' immune response.

This nanotechnology—referred to as a 'nano-adjuvant'—operates on an extremely small scale to enhance the function of T-cells, which play a crucial role in the immune system's ability to fight disease.

Professor Yu described the innovation as a strategic engineering approach. "Our nanoparticles are designed to work within the tumour microenvironment, interacting with TNBC cancer cells and key immune cells to amplify the body’s natural immune defense," he said.

By combining iron-based nanoparticles with substances that stimulate programmed cell death, the team hopes the nano-adjuvant will significantly improve immunotherapy outcomes.

The five-year project aims to bridge a critical gap in cancer treatment and accelerate clinical applications. Professor Yu believes this technology could also benefit patients with other difficult-to-treat solid tumors, such as ovarian cancer.

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Bringing together over two decades of expertise in nanomedicine, drug delivery, and nanoparticle research, Professor Yu and his team are striving to unlock new possibilities for cancer treatment.