![\"Headshots](\"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/thesheet\/files\/2025\/12\/Biochemistry-HRC-projects-2025-image-940w.jpg\")
<\/a>Professor Parry Guilford\u2019s team is developing a drug treatment for people with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, while Professor Sally McCormick\u2019s team is looking to repurpose antidepressant drugs to lower a form of blood cholesterol that increases the risk of heart attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both multidisciplinary teams include early career researchers from the Department who will play central roles in the funded projects: Dr Lyvianne Decourtye-Espiard and Dr Katie Peppercorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Direct-to-stomach delivery of drugs for the chemoprevention of inherited stomach cancer \u2013 Guilford research group<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
People with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer have a high risk of dying at an early age from stomach cancer. Currently, the recommended preventive measure is surgical removal of the stomach\u2014a life-saving but drastic procedure that significantly affects daily life. Professor Parry Guilford leads a team developing a drug-based alternative to surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team have found that a group of molecules called AKT inhibitors are effective at stopping the early stages of inherited gastric cancer in preclinical models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A major concern about a drug treatment for this disease, however, is the potential for side effects. People carrying the mutation for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer are unlikely to take preventative medication for many years if it makes them feel unwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To minimise this risk, Professor Allan Gamble and Dr Jess Fairhall from the University of Otago\u2019s School of Pharmacy have developed an oral drug delivery system in which a drug is attached to a polymer molecule by a linker that can be dissoved by acid. This polymer will attach to the stomach lining, allowing the stomach acid to gradually dissolve the linker, releasing the drug exactly where it is needed, and no-where else, over a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parry explains the next steps: \u201cIn this new HRC funding, we are putting these two workstreams together to generate a range of AKT inhibitors that are coupled to the stomach delivery polymer. Once the chemistry is complete, we will test each construct in our pre-clinical models, with the best drug formulation proceeding to a clinical trial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ultimate goal is to deliver effective, cancer-preventing drugs directly to the stomach of people with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, avoiding the side effects experienced with normal oral or intravenous drug delivery routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Lyvianne Decourtye-Espiard, a research fellow on the project, will test the candidate drugs in preclinical models and assess tumour burden following treatment. She highlights the benefits for scientific workforce development that come with a significant funding grant like this one: \u201cReceiving this HRC grant is a major step forward in my career, as it enables me to advance my ongoing research on the AKT inhibitor, generate robust preclinical data, and foster collaborations both within New Zealand and internationally. It also provides valuable opportunities to support and mentor early-career researchers and strengthens my competitiveness for future funding and research leadership roles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n