As part of Breast Cancer Awareness month we asked Associate Professor Goel, a passionate breast cancer researcher and clinician, what research is being conducted in his lab to improve outcomes for patients. 

Associate Professor Goel is focussed on finding a way to overcome resistance to breast cancer treatment. Because cancer is the result of cells dividing uncontrollably, his research is looking at the cell cycle to understand how to overcome treatment resistance. 

“By having a thorough understanding of the cell cycle and the proteins involved in each step of cell division, we can uncover new ways to stop breast cancer,” Associate Professor Goel said.

A new group of breast cancer therapies, called CDK4/6 inhibitors, are currently being used to target the cell cycle. These drugs have proven to be very effective for many patients, however this can change over time as cancers become resistant to the treatment.

The research Associate Professor Goel and his laboratory are conducing will help improve our understanding about these new treatments and why cancers develop resistance over time.

The group conduct what is called translational research because they study breast cancer in the laboratory to develop new insights, and then strive to translate their discoveries into better treatments for use in clinical practice.

Two of the lab studies Associate Professor Goel and his team have worked on have already made it into the clinic and are being trialled in patients. 

“It is incredibly exciting to see a research concept you have been working on in the lab make it into the clinic, and potentially prolong patients’ lives,” he said.

“Improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients and helping them to live longer is always at the front of our minds when we conduct our research.”

Associate Professor Goel conducted his post-doctoral research at the Massachusetts General Hospital and was appointed to the faculty of the Dana-Farber and Harvard Medical School in Boston before he relocated back to Australia to work at Peter Mac. 

Learn more about Associate Professor Goel’s research.