Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | Norwich |
Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students, International Students |
Funding amount: | £20,780 in the academic year 2025/26, and £1,000 per annum to support research training. |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 11th July 2025 |
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Closes: | 5th October 2025 |
Reference: | BAOY_U26MEDCPRT |
phdPrimary supervisor - Prof Yongping Bao
High consumption of cruciferous vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer. This protection has been attributed to isothiocyanates (ITCs) in such vegetables. However, isothiocyanates have been shown to possess hormetic effects (stimulation at low doses and inhibition at high doses) on cell growth. We have shown that high doses of isothiocyanates have anti-cancer effects on cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Interestingly, there are synergistic interactions between ITCs and anticancer drugs such as sorafenib and dasatinib (1,2).
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Particularly, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a high rate of recurrence and is more challenging to treat due to the absence of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. Therefore, TNBC is characterised by aggressive clinical behaviour, and inherent resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, combinational therapy has become a cornerstone in cancer treatment to potentiate therapeutic effectiveness and overcome drug resistance and metastasis. For example, sorafenib, a novel multi-kinase inhibitor, is broadly used alone or in combination with other therapeutics to combat breast cancer (3). We have also shown a dietary ITC called sulforaphane (SFN) potentiates the efficacy of cisplatin (CDDP) against breast cancer in animal models (4).
In this PhD project, we will investigate:
A combination of ITCs and anti-cancer drugs could enhance cancer treatment efficacy and reduce toxicity or overcome chemoresistance, and improve understanding of the mechanism of bioactive phytochemicals in prevention and treatment of cancer (5). This study will provide useful information for a further clinical trial using combined therapy. Ultimately, the translational potential of these findings could markedly improve public health outcomes and quality of life, particularly for populations at high risk for this aggressive and treatment-resistant breast cancer subtype.
Start date
1 February 2026
Mode of study
Full-time
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement is 2:1. in Biological sciences; cell & molecular biology, oncology, biomedicine.
This project is jointly funded for three years by the Cancer Prevention Research Trust. Funding includes tuition fees at Home-fee rate, an annual stipend for maintenance starting at £20,780 in the academic year 2025/26, and £1,000 per annum to support research training.
Overseas applicants may apply but they are required to self-fund the difference in fee rates. Please see View Website for details of Home and International tuition fees.
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