Researchers, led by the University of Melbourne’s Professor Laura Mackay, a Laboratory Head and Immunology Theme Leader at the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), in collaboration with Pfizer, have discovered new insights into possible future treatments for breast cancer.

A new dual-target drug that has been shown to supercharge cancer-fighting immune cells in mice may support a new treatment approach for patients, potentially paving the way for improved outcomes in breast cancer care.

Breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in Australia, with more than 20,000 Australians diagnosed per year. Over 1,000 of those diagnosed are young Australian women under 40. There is an urgent need to discover more effective treatments for breast cancer.