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Targeting drug-resistant cancer cells

Dr Catherine O’Brien in a laboratory
Dr Catherine O’Brien, CCS-funded researcher

Around half of all cancer tumours respond well to therapy at first – but many become resistant to treatment and grow again.

With your support, Dr Catherine O'Brien and her team are studying the drug-tolerant cells that contribute to someone’s cancer reoccurring – with the hopes of identifying and targeting these cells early in treatment. To do this, they’re using samples of tumours donated by patients and by growing tiny organs (called organoids) in a dish.

If successful, Dr O’Brien’s research could allow doctors to identify and target drug-resistant cells early in treatment – which could save more lives.

“CCS funding is central to our work,” says Dr O’Brien. “Without funding there is no research, no discoveries, and no advancement. We’re grateful for your support.”